Saturday, December 14, 2024
“Unplanned Holiday Surprises”
Today is the first of two remaining Saturdays for Christmas. There’s not much reason to ask if the traffic will be nightmarish and stores will be packed. We already know it’s true. But so far in these devotions, we’ve been trying to discover new approaches that could help us through the chaos about to erupt. Will we encounter problems?
Sure! We know issues will occur! However, we’ve successfully completed every other Christmas just fine and we’ll make it through this one as well. We might not be able to stop all the Unplanned Holiday Surprises, but we do have control over how we react to each of them.
Let’s change the topic for a moment. In the tropics, wedding season has again surfaced amidst the Christmas frenzy. Brides and Grooms are stressed and stretched, but much of the emotions they face are related to the unknown mishaps that MIGHT occur during their big day. In an attempt to assist them, I’ll talk with them about Unplanned Surprises. They WILL occur. But often, the surprises that surface become some of the fondest memories. Preparing ahead of time, by recognizing that something curious or alarming will occur, helps to relax the couple during the waiting period.
We can approach the Holiday Season in much the same way. Things will happen, but it’s those kitchen catastrophes and party mishaps that can become the fondest memories. Unplanned Holiday Surprises don’t have to become bad things. They can often be transformed into special moments that are cherished for years to come.
Two more Saturdays until Christmas. Let’s plan and prepare the best we can, but also leave plenty of wiggle room for the surprises. Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, experienced plenty of big, Unplanned Surprises. An unplanned pregnancy, followed by a last-minute road trip when the baby was due, no rooms available at the hotel, a birth assisted by shepherds, and a surprise visit from foreign magi are just a few of the Unplanned Holiday Surprises that we’ve cherished for two thousand years.
No matter what surfaces, the LORD is with us, every moment of every day! Bring on those Unplanned Holiday Surprises. This will be a wonderful Christmas!
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV)