As a divine attribute, of course beauty stirs the soul. It properly allures and captivates. Whatever the resplendent form – architecture, art, music, nature, literature, trusted friendship, conversation with God – when beauty is recognized it elicits wonder and awe within the beholder. Time stops, worries disappear, self-promotion ceases. It both surprises and consoles. It ignites the imagination and spurs us on to share it with others so they, too, might be caught up in the experience together with us.
Beauty helps lead us to God. In the beginning, it was an essential feature of God’s creative genius and remains central to His redemptive plan. Indeed, God has placed the desire for beauty within our hearts, and He uses that desire to lead us back to Himself.
This Advent, let’s dare to make space for beauty.
