Pondering Expectations At Christmas

When I was young, there was a sledding hill behind my home. My mom would bundle us up, and my dad would drag the toboggan to the top. He’d pile five of us on, give us a good push, then jump on the back.

We had a dog named Freddy. As the six of us flew down the hill at full speed, Freddy ran out in front of the toboggan and stared us down. I don’t know what he was thinking—maybe he thought we were in danger. Either way, he took a strong stance right in front of us, and we ran him over. From that day on, he was Freddy the stupid dog.

Not long ago, I wanted to show my family that monster sledding hill. When we pulled up, I said, “There it is.” I was surprised to see it was pretty average. My young mind had played tricks on my adult brain. 

I wonder what the wise men expected of Jesus—a child king. Matthew tells us they went to Jerusalem and spoke with Herod. Did they expect him to be born in Herods Palace? Instead, they found him in Bethlehem, in some sort of animal shelter, likely beneath a home. If I were a betting man, I’d say they expected something more.

We shape images of the divine from what we know. We imagine kings in certain ways. Jesus birth would have been a surprise to all of us. 

I like to ponder Christs return. Scripture tells us his return will be in power and great glory. But if his birth is any indication, power and glory look very different to Christ than they do to me.

When Jesus first came, he was rejected because he wasn’t what people expected. When he comes again, there will be no doubt—but I imagine he will still surprise us.

Merry Christmas 

Pastor