Unexpected Christmas

Tis the season of gatherings and shopping. Festive music. Frosty air. Twinkling lights. Giving and believing. That magical feeling comes once a year . . .  with reminiscences of an unexpected Christmas miracle long, long ago.

Fantasy and fun

For some, Christmas is a time when childhood fantasies meld with adult reality. And yes, I’m one of those grownup oddballs who still love the nostalgia and will never outgrow stories with flying reindeer, playful critters and elves, friendly snowmen, and even the occasional cooking diva show about building amazing gingerbread houses, too. Mine are all lopsided, and I love them as if they were the beloved Biltmore Estate or Buckingham Palace.

Expect the unexpected?

This year, as my family gathers and my grandchildren ooh and ahh when they see our mountain’s roadside manger scene, evergreens, and a family of metal reindeer all aglow, I’ll count the many blessings of all the reasons I love this season and I’ll remind myself why I’m incredibly thankful for yet another year to cherish the ones I hold dear.

I’ll tell them the story of the most glorious reason we celebrate. In good times or bad. It’s not all about Santa or his elves, flying reindeer, or finding a million presents under a huge spruce tree. It’s about believing in God’s unexpected ways and a boy who saved the world.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~ Isaiah 9:6

Come thou long-awaited Savior.

Unexpected?

This babe was to come by birth to Mary and Joseph. They had to step out on faith and believe an angel who bore this good news they didn’t want or choose to believe. They faced their worst fears and were blessed because they followed God’s direction through the unexpected.

Born in a lowly manger. Prophesy fulfilled. His name is Jesus. Yeshua. Wonderful Counselor. Prince of Peace. Immanuel. Mighty God. Everlasting Father.

And, Savior.

He was the first unexpected Christmas present.

And yes, He still is. Present. God is, and His son Jesus will eternally be, with us. Forever.

The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”) ~ Matthew 1:23 NIV

Dear friends,

This Christmas and always, I wish you the realization of not only the biblical story of Mary and Joseph, that unexpected Christmas miracle, or who God’s son is, but moreover, how every Christmas IS a symbol of God’s love for His people and all those who would come to believe in the boy—His only begotten son, who He sent to save the world.

This isn’t about a date on a calendar (more on that another time). It’s about prophecy fulfilled. The birth of Jesus proves God’s faithfulness. That fact resounds throughout the scriptures where our heavenly Father gently, and at times, not so gently, mysteriously, or miraculously reminds us who He is. He is The Beginning and The End.

I pray we take the time to rekindle our child-like wonder and believe the promise God gave through the birth of His son, Jesus. Christmas Day is coming. Again.

Jesus is too.

Wishing you and yours the most beautifully unexpected Christmas ever.

In His amazing love,

Joann

Special thanks to Pixabay:

Thanks to all image artists for free image use from Pixabay. Feature image: Image by kinkate from Pixabay  #1 image by Image by Dorota Kudyba from Pixabay #2 image by reijotelaranta. #3 Image by bingngu93 from Pixabay