The 7 New Wonders

It’s almost time for the winners to be announced – that is, the 7 new wonders of the world.  The list has been narrowed down to 21, and now you can vote in the final 7.  There are only 35 hours left to vote, so you may have trouble accessing the site, but here it is – new7wonders.com.

Actually, if I understand right there will be 7 wonders plus an honorary member – the pyramids of Giza, Egypt.  The pyramids are the only remaining wonder of the ancient 7 wonders.

It was fascinating to look over the list of the final 21.  In a sense, it was amazing to see what people have accomplished all throughout history.  It also makes you wonder what could have been accomplished if it hadn’t been for death, war, and disease.  Then again, it was sad to see how misguided much of our achievement has been, and how small and old it all seems in the grand scheme of things.  "Unless the LORD builds…" (Psa 127:1)

Mexico has its own entry – Chich’en Itza (Chichén Itzá), in the northern centre of the Yucatán peninsula.  This was a major Mayan centre back in its day (the last half of the first millennium AD).  The city may have been destroyed violently in a civil war, but the details are vague.

The most famous part of the site is the Temple of Kukulcan, sometimes called El Castillo.  Kukulcan was a feathered serpent god worshipped by the Mayans, and on the fall and spring equinox the shadow of a snake slithers down the side of the temple following the sun’s movement.

Check out this 360° tour of the ruins of Chich’en Itza.  Here’s another interesting site about the ruins, particularly El Castillo.

The results will be announced on 07/07/07 in Lisbon, Portugal.  It will be broadcast around the world, featuring a who’s who’s of world celebrities.  You can catch it on TV or by webcast.

But as you watch the world’s best, celebrate something else – the day when all humankind’s fantastic energy, ingenuity and creativity will be focused on love for one another and the Creator.