Christmas Sonnet 2025—Surprised by Jesus

As the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. … The tribes of the earth will see the Son of Man arriving on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. … As for that day and hour, no one knows it … except the Father alone. … Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. Matthew 24:27–44

God surprised them all—Noah, Abrahm, Jacob, Moses, Samuel, Zacharias—and announced his plans for their future. But bigger surprises were yet to come. Gabriel arrived unannounced at Mary’s house with amazing news: “Surprise! You’re going to have a baby!” Then an entire choir of angels stunned the shepherds with the announcement of his arrival. The first disciples were surprised that Jesus did not stay to establish his kingdom immediately after the resurrection. One fantastic surprise remains for us, his return. That he will return should not surprise us, because he promised he would. However, when he will arrive remains a mystery. There will be clues, the most blatant of which will be the great tribulation his followers will experience. So we must remain vigilant and strong in our commitment as we celebrate during this time between times.

The day before she heard the angel’s word
Your mother had no inkling of the strange
And awesome ways her life, and ours, would change
When you arrived, and all God’s grace secured.
As darkness fell, the shepherds had no clue
That angel songs would split the silent night,
Or that their eyes would see the world’s true light
Wrapped up in swaddling clothes at your debut.
We celebrate the wonder of your birth
But hold our breath because we do not know
The day or hour that you will come again.
We celebrate your glory and your worth,
Anticipating all that you will show
Us on the day that you return. Amen!