Be Surprised!

            “The Genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the Son of David, the son of Abraham” ( Mt.1:1)

 This Gospel of today invites us to live with a sense of history.  The ancestry of Jesus is traced back to Abraham. The promise made to Abraham had to wait long years before it was fulfilled.  God  may delay but he will not forget his promises.  But then we cannot blame him for the delay. It is either because we are obstructing his plans or we are not fully cooperating with him. We can be sure God will fulfill his promises, ”Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.”( Lk.21:33) 

 In the long list of names that we read in the ancestry of Jesus we come across  all sorts of characters. Some have cooperated with God to fulfill his  promises while others have delayed and opposed his plans.  Our role is essential for God to carry out his promises. We are a link connecting the past to the future.

 God fulfills his promises just when things seem worst. When Jesus was born the Jews were under the yoke of the Romans. The house of David was almost in obscurity.  He came at a time when no one expected him. He was born in a place least expected. The three kings searched for him in the palaces in Jerusalem but he was in a stable in Bethlehem. God fulfills his promises when things seem most improbable, and through people least expected.

 He chose a humble woman from Nazareth to be his mother. His birth was announced to the Shepherds, and they were the first to come and meet him. Nathaniel could not find anything coming from Nazareth and it is there Jesus chose to live. He chose fishermen to be his disciples. He died on a cross between two thieves. God comes in ways and in places least expected.

 For several centuries prophets foretold and prepared the people for the coming of the Messiah. A faithful genealogy  was faithfully maintained. A long line of priests got ready to receive him when he comes.  A big   temple was build at Jerusalem for a crib. People of Israel wanted to make sure he was given a fitting reception when he came. But finally when he did come into the world they missed him ! “There was no place for them at the inn.” ( Lk.2.7).

 Be ready for surprises at Christmas. We can easily lay him down in an artificial  manger with twinkling lights and paper cut stars and kneel and sing, ‘Come let us adore him”. Be prepared to be surprised. He may not be there! We can organize a grand Christmas party with cakes and champagnes and neglect the sacrament of reconciliation and the Eucharist. Let us not take Christ out of Christmas. No Christmas without Christ. He is most likely to come at Christmas as he came the first time. Discover him in those who are poor and suffering from the cold.  Are you ready for such a Christmas? Be ready for surprises!  

-Fr T.V.George sdb