# Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe – Expecting Surprises
*2009-12-10*

> Bill Young reflects on the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe and how God’s unexpected gifts invite us to stay open to surprise, especially during Advent.

## A Personal Connection

Welcome to the 341st episode of Prayer in My Show. Today’s recording is for December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which also happens to be my birthday. I’m grateful for the chance to share this story and the prayers that accompany it.

## The Miracle of Guadalupe

According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to a humble Mexican peasant named Juan Cortés in 1531. She was not an European queen but a beautiful, dark‑skinned woman, a “princess” in her own right, who spoke in Juan’s native language. She asked him to build a chapel on the hill of Tepeyac, and her image miraculously appeared on his cloak. This unexpected appearance reminds us that God often works outside our expectations.

## Expecting Surprises in Advent

Advent is a season of waiting, and the story of Guadalupe teaches us that God’s gifts can come in forms we do not anticipate. We may expect a grand throne or a spectacular sign, yet the Lord often chooses the ordinary—like a simple cloak—to reveal Himself. Our “garden” is therefore a place of surprise, inviting us to stay open to God’s unexpected movements.

## A Simple Prayer for the Season

Lord Jesus, help us open our hearts to the surprises you bring, just as you entered the world on Christmas Day. May your presence be born anew in each family, especially ours, and may we respond with faith and gratitude. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. May we pray for the sins in our hearts and trust in the mercy of God.

## Putting the Story into Practice

If you missed the story of Guadalupe earlier this week, take a moment today to read it, reflect on Mary’s appearance, and ask her to intercede for you. Let this surprise deepen your Advent journey and remind you that God’s love often arrives in unexpected ways.

*God’s greatest gifts often come when we are least expecting them—stay open to the surprises of Advent.*