“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

— Luke 1:38

Surprise is a part of many stories people tell at Christmastime. Lots of folk stories, novels, and movies with Christmas themes include fun twists and surprises. And often the most-loved tales are those with a surprising, happy ending.The Christmas story itself includes surprises. But while the result—Jesus’ birth—is certainly a joyful and happy one, some of the surprises along the way can bring mixed emotions.Mary was not expecting to be at the center of this story. She was quite young, probably in her early teens, when an angel came to her with news that totally changed her life. It would be scandalous to be a pregnant, unmarried woman in a culture that prized sexual purity. Yet Mary embraced this news from God with humility, saying, “I am the Lord’s servant.”What surprises has God placed in your life? Sometimes God delights us with good news we never saw coming—like a new job or an unexpected friendship. Other times God’s surprises are hard to bear—like life-changing illnesses, mental-health issues, or financial struggles. Our surprises can also stem from sins we have committed, and we wish we had not done those things.God’s Christmas promise is that he is with us in all of our surprises: the good and the difficult. God invites us to watch for his power and to find his saving grace in Christ.Will you humbly embrace him this Christmas?

God of surprises, help us to trust in you. We need you always. Fill us with your love and grace, we pray, in Jesus. Amen.