For the Beauty of the Earth

Ever since our trip to Arizona a year ago---with all of the treks to observatories, telescopes, and hilltop sky gazing sites---our family has taken an interest in all things astronomy related. Between books about the constellations, biblical accounts of the Star of Bethlehem and other ways in which the heavens proclaim the glory of Christ, and our own nighttime wonderings over the heavens while sitting around our fire pit, we have invested some serious time thinking about the universe and God's plan for humankind, we small creatures, amidst it all.

For Christmas, Aunt Megan and Uncle Andy got the boys a beautiful telescope which we are still trying to figure out. A few nights ago we had an unseasonably warm series of evenings which perfectly coincided with some exciting astronomical events. (But, seriously, when isn't there something exciting happening in the sky?!) We easily spotted the brightness of planet Venus as it shone especially during twilight in the southwest sky (also known as the Eastern Star, because astronomy charts are inverted like that), and the light from Venus allowed us also to see with the unaided eye the dim light of Mercury. And only a few minutes later, the red light of Mars. Later on in the evening, Jupiter! And even later, Saturn! That is some awesome planetary alignment in the quiet and cold month of January… We are also on the lookout for the recently discovered Comet Lovejoy, although we haven't quite located it with our new telescope, the amateurs that we are.

With all of the planet searching and constellation hunting, we almost overlooked the *awesome* sunset that God created for us on Thursday night. Claire pointed up to the sky and proclaimed, "Mommy, PINK!" God is so good. "Lord of all to Thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise."