Christmas surprise

Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit. Psalm 147:5
The smell of cinnamon rolls and anticipation filled the air. Christmas morning. Stockings stuffed, music blaring, parents exhausted and wide-eyed children eager to see what is under the tree. Family traditions.
Growing up, Christmas morning meant waiting until everyone was awake to open presents. The youngest of four, I had the job of "subtly" waking the rest of the family. However, at eight years old, on this particular snowy Christmas morning, everything changed. No excitement from me. Under the covers I hid.
Just a few weeks earlier Mom had asked me to write out my wish list for Santa. I passionately shared how much I longed to play music and my desperation for a piano. Afraid to disappoint, she explained a piano was too heavy for Santa to deliver on his sleigh, but I didn't buy it. There had to be another reason. Somehow I sensed, even at eight years old, the aroma of financial pressure. A piano? That would take a miracle. So I modified my list to include a toy organ, wrist-watch and toe socks. Would they be under the tree?
As one might expect, this became THAT Christmas. The Christmas where you discover wrapped presents in your Mom’s car. The Christmas where you unwrap gifts just enough to see what they are and tape them back up. The Christmas where you aren’t quite sure about Santa. So yes, I became that girl - the one who knew what the presents were before I unwrapped them. Although I did get that toy organ, watch and socks, there was no piano. That seemed okay. Yet guilt replaced surprise. Disingenuous replaced excitement. A lot of pressure for an eight year old.
Looking back on this obvious choice of disappointment, I vowed to myself I would never do that again. What led me to need a sneak peak? Did I not trust? Did I not believe?
As we walk this journey of faith, we question ourselves when God asks for our Christmas list. Often, we give it to Him hesitantly because we don't trust He'll come through or be on time. Missing the element of surprise, adventure and lack of joy are consequences. Do we really need trailers? Could the marketing hype of our culture set the stage for unrealistic expectations? What surprises do we "expect" this Christmas?
As I reflected, my eight year old inner child reminded me of three important words to a classic song - Don't stop believing.
So perhaps we can make this Christmas THAT Christmas. The Christmas we believe in His promises. Believe He wants good things for us. Believe He’ll give us what HE thinks is best - when it's time.
May God surprise you this Christmas.
Susan

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