“God is always faithful to His promises, but He often surprises us in the way He fulfills them.”[1] I love this quote from Pope Benedict XVI. It is comforting to know the constancy of God’s faithfulness, yet there is, at the same time, a call to openness to the surprising ways God moves into our lives. I am reminded of the daily and constant blessings I am receiving – the gift of breath and beautiful natural wonders, as well as the surprising ways God makes His presence known – an unexpected kind gesture from a friend, a sudden feel-good memory, and a fleeting wave of peace appearing out of nowhere.

God’s fidelity and surprises were present in the story of Elizabeth and Zechariah. They were “both righteous in the eyes of God,” following God’s commandments and will blamelessly every day of their lives.[2] Despite not having a child, they remain faithful to God’s covenant. Zechariah probably was anticipating an ordinary day going into the sanctuary when he was chosen by lot to burn incense which he had most likely done in the past. Yet, God surprised him when the archangel Gabriel relayed God’s promise for them to have a son. Even when John was born, the relatives and neighbors were expecting that he would be named after his father. Even they were caught by surprise when Elizabeth and Zechariah both agreed to name him John. The friends and neighbors were amazed!

As the Advent season ends and Christmas begins, let us be reminded that our God is steady as a rock, consistent and steadfast in His promise to us. Yet, let us also open our eyes, minds, and hearts to the new ways He is calling us to be closer to Him. Our God is a living God, dynamic and constantly moving into our lives, making all things new. What are the new ways God is inviting you to relate with Him? Do you recognize the gentle invitations from Him to see life anew? What surprises have you experienced recently? What changes He is inviting you to make? What is He calling you to break away from? May our spiritual lives be filled with excitement as Christ is born in us daily.

[1] https://novenaprayer.com/2023/01/05/quote-of-the-day-pope-benedict-xvi-2/

[2] https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/1