Life Is Full of Surprises

The Christmas story is full of surprises.  A virgin realizing, she was pregnant.  Her skeptical fiancé surprises her by deciding to faithfully walk with her on the journey.   

 

The couple is unprepared for the birth of their child.  They don’t even have a place prepared for the birth.  They are surprised when a simple shelter is provided for their son to be born.  It is big enough to host surprise guests from the working class and the wealthy. 

  

The shepherds were performing their working-class job when they were surprised by an angelic choir singing “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, Peace.”   

 

Mary and Joseph were probably worried about finances.  God surprised them when the wise men gave valuable gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  The value of these gifts supported them for two years.  Including their unexpected journey to Egypt. 

 

Just as Mary and Joseph discovered life is full of surprises, even so, I’ve heard many stories of residents at a senior living home tell me of the surprises in their lives.  The one constant is that God is faithful to provide care in each of those surprises.  It would be interesting to share with others some of the surprises we have experienced in life and how God provided care.   

 

Christmas reminds us that life is full of surprises.  Christmas also reminds us that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son and whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.   

 

Chaplain Jeff