By Msgr. William Carr
II Samuel 7:1-5,8-11; Romans 16:25-27; and Luke 1:26-38.
Our God is the God of the unexpected and the unhoped for. In the first reading, God promised that the dynasty of David would last forever. This promise was handed down for centuries, even though the descendants of David were worthless and corrupt. It was unhoped for that a descendant of David could be righteous — but the Lord promised it. The promise was fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of David.
The second reading reflects the unhoped for reconciliation of Jew and Gentile. Jews hated Gentiles as corrupt, immoral, pagan, and evil. Gentiles (non-Jews) hated Jews as condescending, snobbish, arrogant, picky people who separated themselves from others. Yet Jew and Gentile are united in Jesus, Messiah for the Jews and Savior for the Gentiles.
Jewish tradition never expected a divine Messiah nor the Virgin birth. But beyond expectation, God himself became man; he took human nature , being born of the ever-Virgin Mary!
If God has done the unexpected and unhoped for in the past, he can also do it now! He can even convert us to be his holy people. He can change our lives and our world. Let us renew our faith and our hope in the God of unexpected joy.