Constant Wonder

After artist Jenedy Paige discovered that many popular depictions of Christ's nativity scene are historically inaccurate, she set out to create a painting of her own—which unexpectedly brought her a deeper understand of God's love. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent tradition 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: Jenedy Paige, oil painter

Lessons on stillness from a cold-blooded creature that has mastered the art of not breathing to survive a frozen winter. 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"

A bird laid an egg in the hand of the Celtic Saint Kevin, and, as the story goes, he held that egg steady until the chick hatched and flew away. Learn from stories of waiting to bring more peace into your holidays. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent tradition 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: Christine Sine, gardener and author of "The Gift of Wonder: Creative Practices For Delighting in God"

Amateur astronomers tracking Jupiter dance and laugh about a discovery, leading to a reflection on what makes a miracle. 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: Brother Guy J. Consolmagno, President of the Vatican Observatory Foundation

When an angel shows up in scripture, its first words are often "be not afraid." Who are these creatures, and what role do they play in Christian doctrine and tradition? 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: Ed Simon, author of "Elysium: A Visual History of Angelology"

Generosity is contagious . . . and sometimes competitive—in the best way possible! Stories from a Salvation Army bell-ringer. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent tradition 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: David Hudson, former National Commander of The Salvation Army officer

How children can learn from the Creation story to love Advent. 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: Kelli Ann Wilson, blogger at "Around the Year: A Journey Through the Seasons of Nature and the Christian Year"

When he was a teen, Isaac Ogutu’s family was gifted a cow by an English farmer, and their lives were transformed. Now, years later, Isaac works with Ripple Effect to lift other families out of poverty, too. Guests: Isaac Ogutu, Farm Systems and Sustainability Officer, Ripple Effect Paul Stuart, CEO, Ripple Effect Learn more or donate to Ripple Effect here: https://rippleeffect.org/us

When the winter world is dark and still, look to the Christmas story for the promise of light. 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: Hannah Anderson, author of "Heaven and Nature Sing: 25 Advent Reflections to Bring Joy to the World"

In Italy, it takes a village to welcome the Christ child. We explore the sacred within raucous Neapolitan nativity sets that can boast hundreds of figures. 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: Ed Simon, author of "Elysium: A Visual History of Angelology"

Historically, believers in Christianity were encouraged to focus on only the essentials. Gayle Boss brings this ancient practice into the 21st century, simplifying the holidays. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent tradition 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"

Here's a way to reawaken the wonder of the Christmas season: a mini Advent garden. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent tradition 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: Christine Sine, gardener and author of "The Gift of Wonder: Creative Practices For Delighting in God"

Enjoy an audio advent calendar with a short episode for every day from December 1 through Christmas. Each episode invites thoughtful reflection on the season, inspired by nature’s miraculous phenomena (from a turtle hibernating through the cold of winter to an astronomer puzzling over the star of Bethlehem) as well as music and art traditionally connected with the biblical story of the Nativity. Advent is a series from the Constant Wonder podcast, produced by BYUradio.

When Shep the ranch dog discovered a mysterious rodent raiding his food dish, the canine forever changed the trajectory of the black-footed ferret species. Join us as we explore the precarious but wonderful lives of North America's only native ferret. We'll even take you along on a release of captive-born ferrets into the wild. Guests: Travis Livieri, founder and Executive Director of Prairie Wildlife Research https://prairiewildlife.org/ Justin Chuven, Deputy Recovery Program Coordinator at the National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center https://www.fws.gov/office/national-black-footed-ferret-conservation-center Brian Maxfield, wildlife conservation biologist with Utah Department of Natural Resources Jimmy Breitenstein, wildlife photographer https://www.jimmybreitenstein.com/ Other voices from the ferret release: Clint Sampson, Crew, Marek

When options for recess became limited during the pandemic, a group of children in Oak Park, Illinois created Leaf Town, a thriving metropolis made of fallen leaves and lost trinkets. Beth and Kathleen Rooney recount the rise, fall, and rebuilding of the little community and remind us of the value of imagination and attention to little things. Guests: Beth and Kathleen Rooney, authors of "Leaf Town Forever" https://www.leaftownforever.com