Friday, December 7, 2018
I wonder as I wander out under the sky, How Jesus the Savior did come for to die. For poor on'ry people like you and like I... I wonder as I wander out under the sky.
When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall, With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all. But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall, And the promise of ages it then did recall.
—Annie Morgan 1933
And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them con- cerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Luke 2:16-18 (KJV)
In 1963, thirty years after this Christmas carol was written by an Appalachian evangelist, I was put in charge of a youth-led Christmas Eve service and selected, “I wander as I wander,” to follow the reading of the scripture above.
The sound of this piece as rendered by clear first soprano voice while those shepherds processed up our church aisle filled me with awe. Just glorious. It became one of my very favorite carols that night.
But a few years passed before the impact of that second line hit me - How Jesus the Savior did come for to die. Hearing it, I always wonder if I can hold the enormity of the lenten end in mind during this expectantly joyful season of beginning.
This carol is my reminder.
Prayer - Heavenly Father, please illuminate our wondering and guide our wandering this Advent season. Amen
—Linda Emerick