Surprises. They can either be the best news in the world or the worst. Sometimes it all depends on how you react to them. We are heading toward Christmas when fancy boxes will reveal rings, toys or underwear. Either way it is usually a surprise when you rip the wrapping off the box.
The Christmas story is full of surprises for the people involved. Joseph & Mary have a wedding planned and a life ahead of them. Then the angel shows up and everything changes. A savior will be born through Mary without Joseph being involved. She will have God in her womb and he will have God for a step-son.
Their reaction to the surprise was to trust God’s plan. They threw in with God to bring salvation to all of us. Joseph holds true to his word and marries a girl who is pregnant. Mary simply says: “I am the servant of the Lord, let it happen.” They don’t fall apart in the surprise but walk with God as he leads them.
The shepherds who are watching their flocks by night are surprised as well. Think about it. You clock into work. You settle in and start typing, driving, selling or whatever it is that you do for a living. Out of nowhere there is an angel. He has a story to tell you. The shepherds are doing what they have done every day of their lives. Watching sheep. Listening for predators. Making sure the count stayed consistent. Then the angel…
Read these words: “Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news that will be a great joy to all the people. Today your Savior was born in the town of David. He is Christ, the Lord. This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.” What do you do with that announcement? The Christ is being born near us, and he is going to be in a stable?
The shepherds decide to go check it out. Is this angel crazy or is there seriously a surprise waiting for us? They search the town and find the baby. I’m sure Mary was happy to have more company in the crowded stable. When they find Mary & Joseph they tell the angels story. Heck, they have told the story to everyone they met that night.
When they leave they are singing and happy. Once again telling everyone they meet to go see the baby that would become a savior. Their reaction is joy and then they wanted to share the good news with everyone. The Bible says Mary treasured these things in her heart. She has had a lot dumped on her in just a short 9 months. The surprises have kept rolling into her life. Some have been great and some not so much. Her reaction is priceless. To simply rest and reflect in the surprises.
What surprises have knocked you for a loop? Surprises will come at us throughout our lives. How we choose to react to them will make or break us. Can we can look at a surprise and say I will join with God in this adventure to change the world. Can we find joy in the unexpected and share our good news with others. Surprises are coming. Be as ready as you can.