“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” – Deuteronomy 29:29

Every year since Christmas of 2000, my friends Lonnie and Lynne have received a delicious gift basket from Harry & David that’s simply signed: From Your Friends. Merry Christmas. Every year for the past quarter century, they have expressed appreciation and bewilderment—the sender’s identity a wonderful mystery.

There are far more perplexing mysteries out there, even in matters of faith. For example, how has our singular God existed eternally as three co-equal persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? What is the relationship between God’s providence/will and His answering of prayers? How was Jesus simultaneously both fully God and fully human? Try as I might to fully understand or explain these complex concepts, I’m unable.

Thankfully, God has revealed other former mysteries in the New Testament, particularly through the apostles. We now better understand the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s plan, the church as the body of Christ, the nature and timing of the kingdom of heaven, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the Second Coming of Christ. I appreciate God’s progressive revelation—His willingness over time to give diligent seekers a better understanding of these challenging topics.

How comfortable are you with mystery, especially in matters of faith? How do you handle having less than 100% rational or empirical certainty in some of your beliefs? Are you intrigued or frustrated by biblical paradoxes—seemingly contradictory statements that highlight spiritual truths, such as “the last shall be first” or “when we are weak we are strong”? If you can’t fully explain a matter of faith, are you inclined to walk away? Or, like the father of the boy with the unclean spirit in Mark 9:23, do you cry out to Jesus, “I believe; help my unbelief!”?

In the song “Silent Night (Smile in the Mystery),” Christian artist John Mark McMillan merges the traditional Christmas carol with a contemporary message about embracing the mystery and wonder of God’s presence in the unseen, often difficult, aspects of life. The original “Silent Night” carol from 1816 focuses on the calm, peaceful, humble birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior. Each time I hear it, a sense of calm overcomes me, as I reflect on the stillness and significance of that Holy Night when the all-powerful God became a vulnerable baby. 

McMillan adds a new dimension to the song, examining the modern Christian’s struggle with rationalism and the demand for logical answers in faith. The lyrics suggest we embrace the unknown (“smile”) because a key aspect of faith is that God’s actions are not immediately clear or easily explained by human logic. We’re encouraged to find God in the darkness in the line, “Invisible the hope grows in the black where nobody knows; we smile in the mystery, in the night where nobody sees”. The point is that faith and hope can thrive even in times of darkness or uncertainty, away from public view or obvious signs.

Friends, what if we keep seeking God but let go of our desire to “figure Him out” and solve every mystery in matters of faith? What if we accept divine wonder and let go of the need to control or fully understand everything? By doing so, is it possible we could open ourselves up to a deeper sense of worship? Could we experience God in new ways? McMillan’s song is, in essence, a call to find profound peace and joy not just in the serene nativity scene, but also in the act of trusting in a God whose plans and presence often remain enigmatic and work in ways we might not fully grasp. 

As for my friends and their mysterious annual gift basket, I hope the mystery is never solved. As they enjoy the cheese and crackers or deluxe chocolates, let them bask in the extraordinary thoughtfulness of the unknown giver. Let the anonymous person receive a reward (See Matthew 6:4) and feel the joy of knowing, “I got them again!” While learning of the giver’s identity would bring my friends temporary satisfaction, it would also take much of the energy out of the story. The beauty is in not knowing. The fascination is in the conundrum. 

When Lonnie and Lynne open their mysterious basket this year, I hope they scratch their heads in wonder.

I hope they indulge in the delicious treats. 

Most of all, I hope they smile in the mystery.