Beauty is all around us. In the arts, in nature, in every individual, encounters with beauty are a universal human experience. For Christians, these encounters have the ability to amaze, deeply impact, and awaken a sense of longing for Christ within us. They draw us outside of ourselves and toward something greater, calling us to open our hearts to God, who is Beauty itself. If there is one hope for this project, it is simple: that it becomes a catalyst for a greater contemplation of beauty in the world. 

Since I was a young child, I have always found myself deeply drawn the beauty around me. Growing up in a small town and a large, lively family, my parents instilled in me an attunement to beauty in the gifts of creation. Whether in the vibrant colors which came from the hues of juicy red tomatoes and shiny green basil found in my dad’s garden, or the delicate and cheerful flowers mom planted around our home, I was continually captivated by this natural beauty. As I have gotten older, I have been blessed to experience beauty in myriad cultures and people. Some of these experiences have been more grandiose—such as the impressive architecture of Rome or the art of Paris—yet many have been much simpler moments of peace while watching the sunset in Humenné Slovakia, or a small burst of joy during spontaneous interactions with strangers.

For me, all of these experiences have shed light on the universality of encountering beauty. Each culture, place, and individual receives different opportunities to interact with beauty, but nevertheless it is something we all experience. And if we let it, I believe beauty in all its varied forms has the ability to transform us. 

Contemplating the impact of what I call, “beautiful moments” was the impetus for this project. Whether in the marvelous or mundane, I have witnessed how encounters with beauty touch hearts and open minds to cherish and reflect on life anew. This publication is a compilation of reflections on encounters with beauty, experiences that explore beauty as ubiquitous. Each page is an invitation to notice beauty anew in one’s life through the beautiful found within every article. 

My hope is that this magazine encourages you to look again, to pause longer, and to recognize the beauty that surrounds you—and the beauty that draws us closer to our Creator. 

Sincerely,
Ántonia Smith