Unexpected Names, Unexpected Gift

“Do we have a name yet?”

I shook my sleepy head, no, in response to the sweet, patient nurse coming in to check my vitals once again. We were going on day two with our third son, and still no name. Hours of talking it over during the pregnancy, polling our friends on social media, and still nothing.

He wasn’t expected, I wasn’t ready, and the death grip I had on my life had been slowly and painfully pried away. I asked my husband to choose a name. He chose "Victor Manuel." Whether he was divinely inspired or not, we’ll never know, but the irony doesn’t escape me. The child I wasn’t prepared for and couldn’t name became a sign of Christ stepping into my life.

“[A]nd they shall name him Emmanuel, which means "God is with us” (Matthew 1:23).

Victorious Emmanuel. What had felt like a hugely impossible thing in so many ways God used as a sign of His victory in my life, and as a reminder that He truly is with me. That sweet baby boy brought with him a season of change and peace in our family life and in our marriage. He was, and continues to be, a balm for my soul.

The Messiah stepped into the history of mankind in a most unexpected way, time, and place. He disrupted people's lives and ideas about how God works. He still does! But my goodness, He can make beauty bloom from chaos.

So, my sister, as we near the end of this season of waiting, sit with me and think about a time when the Lord has turned your expectations on their head and did something wonderful. And if you’re in the stormy chaos now, let me remind you that God is with us.

Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.

What had felt like a hugely impossible thing in so many ways God used as a sign of His victory in my life, and as a reminder that He truly is with me. // @jacquiskempClick to tweet

This snippet of one of the most famous orchestral and chorale pieces for Christmas is fitting to listen to today.

Jacqueline Skemp is a daughter, sister, wife, and mother who endures living in Minnesota after leaving California for her one true love. She is a contributing author to our children's devotional prayer book called Rise Up. You can find out more about her here.