Christmas Secret

Most of us like predictability in life – things we can count on. But then Christmas comes along and reminds us that life is full of surprises.

My boys, Trent and Troy, are grown now. Which is probably why they decided it was time to reveal a Christmas secret they’d been hiding. For years at Christmas Eve, they sneaked downstairs and unwrapped their presents. After seeing what they got, they carefully rewrapped each gift and went back to bed, stifling excited whispers.

As much fun as they had sneaking around in the dark, their night of mischief caught up with them Christmas morning. No surprises awaited them. Nothing unexpected. They enjoyed their gifts, but the thrill of that first glimpse got used up the night before.

The joy of Christmas is all about uncertainty, expectation, and surprise. Likewise, our greatest joy in daily life often comes in unexpected moments. Predictable patterns feel safe, but they strip life of its color and interest. We need something unusual to break in and shake things up. Unexpected twists and turns become our favorite stories later on.

A good life is about more than schedules and agendas. It’s about the mysterious way unplanned moments shape us – the way they break into our daily routines and fill our lives with wonder. Surprises can be scary because they’re unpredictable. But that’s what transforms an ordinary moment into an extraordinary one.