“The Christmas Surprise” – Luke 2:1-16 (Christmas Eve)

Christmas is such a special time that we use special words to describe it. Around our Advent wreath, we light candles representing Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love—beautiful words that capture the spirit of the season. There are others, too: Gloria, Alleluia (which means “Praise the Lord!”), and Noel (which means “birth”).

But the word that best describes Christmas is one we rarely use for it. You won’t find it in carols, Christmas cards, or even in the scriptures.

That word is SURPRISE!

When my children were small, one of the greatest delights of Christmas morning was watching their expressions of pure wonder. In the pre-dawn hours, they would leap into our bed, eyes wide, faces glowing.

“He’s been here! Santa came! He ate the cookies! He drank the milk! And he left presents!”

Though being woken so early after a late Christmas Eve service wasn’t entirely delightful, seeing their joy made it all worth it. As we made our way downstairs and plugged in the Christmas tree, the colored lights reflected in their faces, and if there was ever a word to capture that moment, it was SURPRISE!

Christmas is full of surprises!

Mary was surprised when she learned she would bear a child. Even more surprising was the angel’s message that this child would be the Messiah.

Joseph was surprised—and confused—until an angel reassured him.

The shepherds were surprised, watching over their flocks when the night sky exploded with light and the angel of the Lord appeared. Wouldn’t you be surprised if that happened while you were out walking the dog?

The magi were surprised by a star so extraordinary that they left their country and followed it to Bethlehem. A king, born in Judea? That wasn’t where kings came from!

SURPRISE!

In many ways, Christmas is the biggest surprise party ever planned, and it was God’s idea!

For anyone who imagines God as distant and disengaged, all I can say is… SURPRISE!

Will you let God surprise you this Christmas?

The birth of Jesus wasn’t just a surprise for Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and wise men. It was a shock to the whole world.

Every religion that looks for a Messiah expects someone mighty—a king on a stallion, a judge laying down the law, a warrior crushing evil. When we picture a Messiah, we imagine someone who arrives with power and vengeance, someone who sets things right with force.

It’s the same message in a well-known Christmas song:

“You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I’m telling you why… Santa Claus is coming to town!”

But while the world expects power, God does something different.

SURPRISE!

In Bethlehem’s manger, there is no mighty king, no fierce judge, no vengeful warrior—not even a list-making Santa.

Instead, there is a baby.

Shhhh.

A baby. (whispered)

Surprise! (whispered)

And if you let your guard down for a moment and ask yourself why—why God sent a baby and not a warrior—you might just receive the Christmas surprise.

The Innocence of a Child

You see, babies do not know sin.

Let me say that again: Babies do not know sin.

Years ago, my co-pastor and I divided up a list of families struggling through hard times. We had baskets of food, wrapped presents, and a little financial help for them.

One of the families I visited wasn’t much of a family at all—just a young woman and her on-again, off-again boyfriend, both caught in a cycle of addiction. Their apartment was in shambles. The neighborhood was dangerous. Everything about their situation screamed BROKENNESS.

As I sat on a worn-out couch missing its middle cushion, I felt only sadness. The house was a mess. The kitchen sink overflowed with dirty dishes. The air carried the stench of cat urine and despair. Outside, sirens wailed in the night.

Then, from another room, a baby cried.

The young mother excused herself and returned a moment later, cradling her months-old daughter. She fixed a bottle and sat across from me, feeding her child.

And that’s when I saw something miraculous.

The baby looked up at her mother with adoring eyes.

What I saw in that apartment—the brokenness, the pain, the mess—was not what the baby saw.

Because babies do not know sin.

What Does the Christ Child See?

What do you think Jesus saw when He first opened His eyes?

What did He see when He gazed at His teenage mother? His confused stepfather? The rough, smelly shepherds? The foreign magi who worshiped other gods?

And tonight—what does He see when He looks at you?

Have you ever locked eyes with a small child in a grocery store or restaurant? Even a cranky baby, frustrated with his wet diaper or denied a giant Hershey bar, can’t help but smile when you play peek-a-boo.

And in that moment, the child sees something wonderful: your goodness.

Not your past mistakes.
Not your failures.
Not the worst thing you’ve ever done.

Just you—the way God sees you.

When the child is carried away, he may even turn back and blow you a little kiss.

And for a moment, you feel like you’re really worth something.

Look into His Face

In a moment, we will darken the sanctuary, light our candles, and sing Silent Night.

When we reach the third verse, pay close attention:

“Love’s pure light, radiant beams from Thy holy face, with the dawn of redeeming grace…”

If you’re here tonight carrying the weight of past mistakes, the burden of guilt, the fear that God is out to get you—look into the face of the baby in the manger.

He adores you.

SURPRISE!