From the UCC Network: Devotional for 12/21 "Do You Like Surprises?"

Do You Like Surprises?

Excerpt from Luke 1:47-55

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 
for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed…”

Reflection by Lillian Daniel

I’ve always hated the question, “Do you like surprises?” People ask you that when they have something they are debating telling you.  They hold some piece of information about your life and they want you to tell them whether or not they should tell you. How can you answer such a question? It’s the worst kind of pregnant pause.

Do I like surprises? It depends. Are there airline tickets to Paris sitting in my mailbox, or is a piano about to fall on my head? Is Publisher’s Clearinghouse ringing my doorbell, or a trio of dark-suited, long-winded members of a proselytizing religion?

Yet when you ask a child if they like surprises, they will usually say “Yes!” Then, of course, they will beg you to tell them, without ceasing, just what the surprise is, until you relent. And then they will sob, “But why did you tell me? Now it’s not going to be a surprise!”

Children who are loved and protected still seem to have the sense that surprises are fun. To their hopeful hearts, the unexpected surprise around the corner is more likely to be a new pony than a trip to the dentist.

It is the process of life, and perhaps braces, that causes that subtle shift within us, to the point where surprises frighten us and we long instead for something we call “security.”

When Mary found out she was pregnant with the Son of God, she responded to the surprise with joy and delight.   There was no security in the news she was receiving, but she took it into her heart as joy.

Prayer

God, you are my rock and my security. So when life’s surprises come my way, help me to receive them joyfully. Amen.

About the Author Lillian Daniel is the senior minister of the First Congregational Church, UCC, Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Her new book, This Odd and Wondrous Calling: the Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers, co-authored with Martin B. Copenhaver, has just been published.

Daily Prayer

The Birth of Isaac

¹ The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised.² She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would.³ And Abraham named their son Isaac.⁴ Eight days after Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as God had commanded.⁵ Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.⁶ And Sarah declared, “God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me.⁷ Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse a baby? Yet I have given Abraham a son in his old age!”

Gen 21:1-7 (NLT)

The time has passed by so quickly, Lord. Another Advent has been observed – another Christmas is right around the corner – and another year has almost slipped away. During the struggles of these past many months I have felt so old and alone; as if my better days were just memories, and the years ahead will be cold ones, just as the winter days of now.

Then the stories come back to me, again and again; flooding my mind with the awe that is you, and I am comforted. As long as I have breath – as long as I have the strength to rise up to a new morning each day – I also carry within my spirit the knowledge that you can still work your yearnings for me, through me. Until my final heartbeat, I am never too old to live and speak your Word, which is the wisdom of the ages. I am never too feeble to walk the paths you have laid out before me. I am never too frail to sing your praises for all to hear, and to be an example to the world of the truth of your love – your compassion – your mercy, for all peoples, everywhere.

As the ageless angels before me, I too continually sing out again your praises:

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

Luke 2:14 (NLT)

Rev. Michael Kirchhoff

based on Genesis 21:1-7