Constant Wonder

She may have started life as a "nowhere person in a nowhere place," but Mary's devotion has inspired generations. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words. Guest: Gaye Strathearn, professor of Ancient Scripture and Ancient Near East Studies at Brigham Young University Excerpts from “My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord” from The Redeemer by Robert Cundick performed by the BYU Singers. Used by permission from the Heritage Series on Tantara Records and the estate of Robert Cundick. © 1996 Tantara Records. All Rights Reserved.

Astronomers and historians have long debated whether the Star of Bethlehem was really a star at all. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words. Guest: Deb Haarsma, astrophysicist and President of BioLogos

With grace, the hilarious Kevin Kling has overcome trauma and learned to live with disability. You may recognize your own spiritual journey in his humorous "Three Phases of Prayer" story. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words. Guest: Kevin Kling, author, playwright, and storyteller

When Gayle Boss stumbled on a passel of river otters on her 66th birthday, she learned from them that you're never too old to be playful. She agrees with Job that it's important "to ask the animals" for insight. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words. Guest: Gayle Boss, author of "All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of ?New Beginnings"

Even when Dr. Francis Collins wasn't a believer, music moved his soul. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words. Guest: Francis Collins, former director of both the NIH and the Human Genome Project