Susan Narjala
Keeping it Real
Christmas Rewrites the Questions
Earlier this week, I had the chance to do a mini solo getaway. Not just any getaway, but an uninterrupted time with God, reading the Word, worshipping Him, and simply practising His presence. In that place of quiet, I reflected on the year that has slipped by and spent some time thinking about what lies ahead.
Some things in the new year have already begun taking shape. For one, my oldest child will leave for college, thousands of miles away from his mama. While I’m not prepared for that yet, there will be countless other questions that weave their way through the next year. I don’t know what those questions will be, let alone the answers! If I begin pondering the what-ifs, fear will likely grip my heart.
Questions about the future can leave you frazzled, overwhelmed, and in a panic. Fear can be a very real response to life’s “what ifs?”
But let’s think back to the nativity story. The main characters in the narrative had no idea what was coming up.
Mary didn’t know what the “game plan” would be. If I were her, I would be lost in a spiral of questions: “What if Joseph divorces me? What if I have to do this alone as a single mom? What will my parents say? How will I do this?”
Joseph didn’t know how he could live in a community that would never believe the account of his wife’s pregnancy. If I were him, I would wonder, “What if I can never show my face in the synagogue again? What if I can’t provide for my family?”
The shepherds didn’t know what was happening when they saw a host of angels in that dark night sky. If I were them, my question would be, “What if we are dreaming this up and become the laughingstock of the entire countryside?”
The wise men didn’t know what or who they would find when they followed the star. If I were them, I would ask, “What if after this long, arduous journey, there’s nothing to see and no child to give these gifts to?”
You see, friend, the worries of life have sometimes made me negative, fearful, and anxious.
But what if, like Mary, we simply took God at His Word and surrendered to His plan?
What if, like Joseph, we simply trusted that God would work all things out for our good and His glory?
What if, like the shepherds, we run to the Lord in excitement to worship and behold Him?
What if, like the wise men, we followed God’s leading through unfamiliar terrain and gave Him our very best?
Christmas rewrites the questions. Our what-ifs look vastly different when we receive the perfect love of God, which frees us from fear. We now ask, what if I surrendered? What if I trusted? What if I worshipped? What if I followed? Our focus moves from fear of the unknown to faith in the One who knows all things.
God with us. Emmanuel. That changes everything—Our perspectives. Our prayers. Our posture.
Scripture beckons us to shift our gaze to God. 1 John 3:11 says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are.”
Friend, if you’ve given your life to Christ as your Savior, here’s the surest thing about you: you are a child of God. I love the reiteration: “That is what we are.” That’s underlined and highlighted for you. This Christmas, remember who you are because of Whose you are. And may that deep assurance drive out all fear.
As we wrap up this year, let’s pray:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You that Your perfect love drives out all fear.
I confess that I often let the “what ifs” steal my joy and peace.
Teach me to trust You through every unknown because of Your Perfect Love for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2026!
Thank you for sharing my blogging journey with me. I’ll see you in the new year! God bless.
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MEET SUSAN
Comments
16 Comments
Peter
Hi Susan
A very blessed Feast of the Incarnation to you and the family. Very awe-kward greeting, I concede. Btw it’s been a few years since I decided to abandon the word Christmas (so delightfully catchy, though), especially since my ongoing study on the wonder and mystery of the Incarnation commenced.
Love the title of your post. So true.
The Incarnation isn’t intended to make the questions go away. Just reframe them. In ways that expose us; our distrust, our disorientation without the reassuring whiff of predictability and control we’re so addicted to. Our obsession with ‘figuring things out’ and ‘fixing’ them, including people. We’re a generation of problem-solvers, achievers, exceeders. On-top-of-things, systems-building thrivers. The Answer League — in case ‘someone’ needs reminding.
Isn’t it mind-bending that neither the resurrection nor post-resurrection appearances of Jesus immediately answer all the Disciples’ questions.
Those closest to Him still don’t ‘get’ who Jesus is. He remains a confounding ‘?’. More so post-death. At the open tomb, his missing cadaver is a question: “where have they laid him?” What’s up with this guy? Even dead and buried, we just can’t understand him — has his corpse gone walkabouts? He is ridiculous.
No tidy answers, no FYI page links, no cheat sheets, no handy hacks.
Except for John, none of Jesus’ closest followers recognise him on sight. Whose problem is that?
What’s more, Mary and Joseph, central to Jesus’ birth narrative, aren’t even mentioned at the resurrection. Joseph exited the scene very early in the narrative. It may help to note that Bible genealogy of kings (1&2 Kings) refers to Israel’s royalty as sons of Mothers, hence ‘queen mother’. Often considered the tradition behind Mary’s veneration as ‘Queen Mother/Queen of Heaven in certain traditions.
To wise or simple eyes, Jesus leaves so many questions unanswered. And continues to raise new ones. The Chairperson of the ‘Board of My Right to Answers and Certainty’ is contemplating issuing Jesus a stern warning, if not a Pink Slip. “He walked on water. Let’s see how he does on ‘thin ice’” a member of the Board quipped.
Mystique and mystery, details of future plans, For Dummies explainers, under-the-hood sneak peeks, structured leadership and organisation charts, processes, systems and schedules, strategy binders, how-to manuals, canons, creeds, check lists, documents to write up (no instruction or workshops on how to write Epistles, the earliest post-resurrection writings, or the written Gospels), etc are of little or no interest to Jesus. Simply; You witnessed me; now Be Me and Do Me. As I am and as I do My Father.
“The Spirit will lead you into all truth. Trust Me, My promise and The Promised One. Now, what’s your question? Is it about Me or really all about you?”
Reminds me of a song (not Christmassy) which tumbled out my distraught mind in 2001 as I turned from the viewing latest images of the 9/11 Twin Towers and Pentagon airplane strikes on my computer monitor to the piano keyboard behind me. To find music spontaneously singing:
Even when I don’t have any answers
When my mind’s a blank, And I haven’t got a clue
Even when I don’t have any answers
I have no questions about You.
Blessings
Susan Narjala
That last line (from your song) is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing, Peter! Blessings, Susan
Cathy
Love your switched-up questions. Very thought-provoking! Especially, “What if I surrendered, what if I followed?” That might be my word for 2026: What if I surrendered? Thanks for thinking deeply.
Susan Narjala
Oh, I love that as a word for 2026. Amen. Thanks for sharing, Cathy. God bless. – Susan
Ted Senapatiratne
Thought provoking, “pause”!!
How amazing is the Word of God! Each year we read the same Christmas Story, and yet each we see a fresh and a new perspective! Thank you, Susan for helping us ask the “what if” questions and bring it down to life today in 2025 Christmas.
So looking forward to hearing what the Lord is speaking to you in 2026 – “No pressure” 😉
Blessings to your family this Christmas Season!
Susan Narjala
Haha! There is something He has been speaking to me about — will share it for sure in the new year 🙂 Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a blessed 2026!
Abel
Timely reminder. Truly a Spirit-inspired post.
Susan Narjala
Amen. Praise God! He knows what each of us need to hear.
Shannon
Very true, the ‘what ifs’ and ‘I should’ can cause great fear and guilt.
True perspective and thank you for writing so clearly about it.
Susan Narjala
The “I should’s” – that’s definitely another trap we all fall into. Thanks for sharing, Shannon! Merry Christmas. – Susan
Bill
The reminder about “trust” in Him and His plan are good, to say the least. But in reading your missive today I couldn’t help but ponder about pondering – that is, how often do we look at perspectives of others – while reading the Bible or simply while “living” in this world. Thank you Susan for the message and the reminders.
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
Susan Narjala
Oh. That’s a great insight, Bill. Thanks for sharing that. Merry Christmas! Susan
Chris Pullenayegem
As usual, well written reflection. Tks and blessed Christmas.
Susan Narjala
Thank you, Chris. Wishing you a blessed Christmas! – Susan
Pushpa Louis
Thank for the message of Christmas and the new year. Let us surrender our all to the one who loves us unconditionally.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a great new year.
Susan Narjala
Amen. May each of learn wholehearted surrender. Thanks for sharing, Pushpa. Merry Christmas! – Susan