Advent: Expecting the Unexpected

ByD'Ann Mateer
10 Comments

In the lead up to Advent, things have upended several friends’ worlds in the blink of an eye. The return of cancer. Death of a spouse. A horrific accident. Every single instance has changed what that family thought they were doing that day, the next day, the next day, and the next. 

It has made me consider this verse again:

We don’t like to live this way, if we are honest. At least I don’t. I want to know what’s coming next. To plan and prepare. 

But if Advent shows us anything it’s that life can turn on a dime—and not always in a tragic way. 

One minute, there is no hope, the next minute, the Savior of the World is born.

One minute there is a dark night on a hilltop with sheep, the next minute there is light and angels and song. 

One day you go to the Temple like any other day, and the next minute you, like Anna and Simeon, meet the one you’ve been praying would come. 

One day you are living your life, loving your baby, and the next you are fleeing to Egypt to keep your son alive. 

Jesus’s advent on earth was full of life-changing, unexpected moments for himself and others. To think our experience on earth will be any different is to deny reality. 

This year, as I walk through the season of Advent in preparation for the celebration of Christmas, I want to settle my heart in the Lord for whatever is ahead, for those moments of change we cannot see or prepare for but which will come to us all the same. To know that while the circumstances of life might turn on a dime, I have a God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) A God who will guide me through the unknown and hold me in His everlasting arms.

I pray the same for you, my friend. 

How have you seen God show up for you in the unexpected in 2025? 

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Inspired by novelist Eugenia Price, D’Ann’s dream of writing historical fiction with an element of faith began in middle school, though her serious drive toward publication took a bit longer. D’Ann is the author of four historical novels and one novella, as well as a contemporary short stories in a compilation volume. D’Ann and her husband of 30 years can be found in Austin, TX when they aren’t touring historic sites or visiting their grown children.

10 Comments

  2. Beautiful thoughts today, D’Ann. I love the reminder that life doesn’t just throw bad surprises at us unexpectedly, but huge blessings as well. My son was hit with the unexpected when the government shutdown came and his new job of air traffic controller went from good pay to no pay overnight and lasted for a full month. It reminded me that security is not to be found in earthly things but in heavenly riches. It also brought the blessing of bringing our family together in prayer and support.

  3. Amen! You’re so right; we don’t like to think of unexpected events that may lie around the corner. But God! We so need the reminder of the unexpected blessings that He has brought in the past. We can trust that He will do so again—sometimes, as with Joseph, when God brings good out of what seems to be bad. May we continue to trust, follow and live in ways that honor Him in every circumstance that comes our way. Thankful for your on-point reminder of the hope we have in Him, at Christmas and every day!

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