Elements of Surprise!
I'm still thinking about the "unexpected" as I consider expectations. Why? Because I am realizing that often what I am caught off guard by something, it is because I had expected something else. The unexpected in my life is often a result of things not going as I expected.
I wonder about Mary and Joseph. What were their expectations with regards to the promised Messiah? Surely they didn't expect to be involved! Yes, they were both of the line of David* from which the Messiah was to come (Isaiah 11:1), but they lived in Nazareth not Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)
I marvel at how the story unfolds.... with so many surprising elements! Mary is told she is to have a baby even though she is a virgin (Luke 1:26-38). Joseph has to deal with a pregnant fiancee (and he knows he is not the Dad - Matthew 1:18-25) Eventually, they do end up in Bethlehem because of political reasons (Luke 2:1-5) and that is where Jesus was born. There are more surprising elements but I will leave them for you to consider (Luke 2:1-40).
I find it both unsettling and wonderful that there are so many unexpected parts to the Nativity story.... and to the whole narrative of Scripture. It shows me something about God. He is at work to save the world and it is His business how He chooses to do this. I know from the Bible that I can rely on Him to be loving and trustworthy but I cannot expect Him to be predictable in His ways. I need to hold my plans and expectations lightly and not get angry when He does things differently that I would like or than I would expect. Repenting of the pride that is behind my anger ("I know the good/right thing here") is an important part of my spiritual growth.
Whatever Mary and Joseph's expectations, we know how the story turned out....with the Incarnation. And now we wait for the complete fulfillment of God's promise:
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
* See the geneologies in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. They differ which has led some to believe that the Luke geneology is that of Mary.
I wonder about Mary and Joseph. What were their expectations with regards to the promised Messiah? Surely they didn't expect to be involved! Yes, they were both of the line of David* from which the Messiah was to come (Isaiah 11:1), but they lived in Nazareth not Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)
I marvel at how the story unfolds.... with so many surprising elements! Mary is told she is to have a baby even though she is a virgin (Luke 1:26-38). Joseph has to deal with a pregnant fiancee (and he knows he is not the Dad - Matthew 1:18-25) Eventually, they do end up in Bethlehem because of political reasons (Luke 2:1-5) and that is where Jesus was born. There are more surprising elements but I will leave them for you to consider (Luke 2:1-40).
I find it both unsettling and wonderful that there are so many unexpected parts to the Nativity story.... and to the whole narrative of Scripture. It shows me something about God. He is at work to save the world and it is His business how He chooses to do this. I know from the Bible that I can rely on Him to be loving and trustworthy but I cannot expect Him to be predictable in His ways. I need to hold my plans and expectations lightly and not get angry when He does things differently that I would like or than I would expect. Repenting of the pride that is behind my anger ("I know the good/right thing here") is an important part of my spiritual growth.
Whatever Mary and Joseph's expectations, we know how the story turned out....with the Incarnation. And now we wait for the complete fulfillment of God's promise:
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7
* See the geneologies in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. They differ which has led some to believe that the Luke geneology is that of Mary.
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