To be expected or a shocking surprise?

Luke 2: 13-20 "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.' When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the lord has told us about.'  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child and all who heart it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told."


Suddenly--unexpectedly.  Advent is a season of expectation, the focus on hope of what is to come built up by what has already happened.  Yet on this first Christmas night, the events unfolded are unexpected. 

So, is this a season of expectation or a season of the unexpected? 

Both, I think.

What are healthy expectations?  What are fair expectations?  What are ridiculous expectations?

What is God expecting from me this season?

What of the unexpected--is is welcome or resisted and how do I respond?  I loved the shepherd's respond, they went to see and told everyone about it.  Am I prepared to go, look and see the miracles around me, and do I treasure them in my heart or tell everyone about them?  Do I glorify God in what I have seen and heard?

Those are some good questions for me to hang by the chimney with care.