My Advent Journeyಮಾದರಿ

Christmas is a surprise

'…God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.' (Luke 1:26-37, NIV)

Christmas is a time filled with surprises. We painstakingly make sure the gifts we give to others are concealed until the moment of opening. When someone is truly astonished, giving takes on greater meaning. The result is joy for both the giver and the receiver.

No one was more surprised at the gift of the Christ Child than Mary. 'How will this be…?' she asked. Yet, her fearful astonishment led to a steadfast acceptance of the task. She embraced the surprise by yielding to the will of the Almighty. The result is joy for the One who gives and for us who receive.

• What has been 'fearful astonishment' for you in recent days? Is there a 'steadfast acceptance' that can be learned from it?

Prayer: Today, Lord, may I embrace any surprise, knowing you work all things together for good. Amen.