God is the "God of Surprises" as the title of a book informs us. It would indeed be surprising if Lebanon with its famed forests of enormous cedars were to turn into one huge orchard of the finest of fruit trees. The first reading is a suitable choice for Advent, a season of surprise and hope, during which we prepare to celebrate the birth of the child Jesus who was to bring about a surprising reversal of fortunes in our world.

The reading prepares us for a re-invigorated world where the poor, the lowly, the faithful among the people of Israel will experience a change of fortune. Their loyalty to Yahweh will be rewarded. The proud, arrogant rulers who gloried in their power will be overthrown. A surprise on a par with an orchard the size of Lebanon.

Sudden healing, instantaneous reversal of ill health lead also to surprise and joy. The title "Son of David," used by the blind men in today's Gospel and in two other places in Matthew's Gospel, is connected with Jesus' power of healing. Healing of our bodies can symbolize a healing of soul. "If He can cure my body," I might murmur to myself, "maybe He can cure my inner self too." Maybe the healing will take longer, but it is promised and is worth the wait.

Equally surprising is that the healing can be for all as St Luke tells us when he refers to the child Jesus as Saviour, Messiah and Lord, (Lk. 2:11) What surprising titles for a very, very small baby.