234 Christmas Unexpected

When Jesus showed up the timing seemed off. It was a harsh and cruel time. No one was really looking for him. They were wishing, but not looking. They were hoping for someone to get them out of trouble, but not believing it could happen that day. The process had started, but not the release from another regime take over. Joseph was not expecting it. He just wanted to marry Mary, a normal Jewish girl. Mary was not expecting it, but then this Angel named Gabriel shows up unannounced and nearly scares her to death. Then there was Elisabeth pregnant with John the Baptist. She and her husband are too old for this. This whole story is impossible and it's just going to take too long. The parents are not impressive. They are just plain folks.  What's wrong with this picture? It's the kind of picture that God Loves to paint… Unpredictable, a great surprise. Impossible and yet it's happening right before their eyes. Christmas miracles are happening everyday in someway all over the world, but we don't even notice them until much later because they always come "UnExpectantly", at the wrong time, in the wrong way and God always uses the "wrong people"…by our standards. Fortunately, God performs miracles by His standards. He loves to Love in Impossible ways. He is the Ultimate Mission Impossible Operative. He is our God and He only "gives good gifts". He plans All Good things and Gifts in Advance for me as he does for you. In student ministry, God gave us Unexpected Christmas gifts all year long. Each home, each child, each friend and each salvation from our children to family members, friends and students. Never when we expected it. Usually in unforeseen moments, in unforseen circumstances.  God Loves His Son's story. His Unexpected, to humankind, predicted but not possible... Christmas Birthday Story. He is the God of Holy Surprises! Keep looking up! You never know when a host of angels are going to start singing like a choir in the sky. _______________________________ Looking for a new student ministry resource? You can read my book "Burn Up Not Out: A Student Ministry Fire Builder's Guidebook" here: https://amzn.to/3PtBTIy Listen to more episodes from the Youth Worker On Fire Podcast here: https://bit.ly/3saDyYq _______________________________ EPISODE CREDITS Email us at: [email protected] Hosted by: Doug Edwards Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms : https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy  Edited by: Secret Roots Music House