Merry Eucatastrophe!!

The beloved fantasy author, J. R. R. Tolkien invented a word: Eucatastrophe. Even spell-check knows it, which is quite impressive. The word is a combination of the Greek prefix eu— meaning good—and catastrophe, which is not exactly what you might imagine. Catastrophe in a literary sense is like an epic plot twist. So—a good plot-twist. Or, in the words of Tolkien, “a sudden, joyous turn.” 

I’d been borrowing Tolkien’s invented word for this month’s speaking engagements, themed around Christmas Joy. And then, last week—actually on the day of my 36th wedding anniversary—I encountered the word again in an Advent devotional:

“Tolkien invented the word eucatastrophe to describe the stunning, unexpected turn of good fortune that rescues Frodo, Sam, and all of Middle-earth at the climax of The Lord of the Rings.” (*See note.) 

The devotional goes on to ask a question: 

Have you ever experienced this joyous turn? A watershed moment when you knew your future was radically altered for the good? 

And all I could think about (no coincidence at all) was my Wedding Day! I mean really—what moment has more radically directed the course of my life in every good way? It’s hard to even imagine who I’d be, and where, and whatnot, if that one event had never happened. 

My devotional went on to ask a followup question: 

Have you felt this same joy in connection with Jesus? 

And my answer, wholehearted, was a resounding YES! 

Similar to my wedding day (in ways I’ll explain in a minute) have been two specific events. Eucatastrophes that rerouted my spiritual experience. One at a Bible camp when I was 12 years old. The second, totally unexpected—a flipping of my script in my 30’s. In the first instance, I fell head over heals in love with Jesus. And in the second—I discovered God was in love with me. 

I’ll never forget a funny little thing that happened the day we got married. Kyle and I had just come down the aisle—husband and wife—followed by our wedding party. We hugged and we greeted, and I remember specifically whispering “I love you” to one of my bridesmaids. I’m sure I must have said it to more than one, but it was Colleen’s response I’ve never forgotten: Oh Sonya, you love everybody today! Yes. lol. I’m sure I must have been gushing. 

Because that’s the way it happens…

The summer I was 12 I fell head over heals for Jesus. And I remember, too, being smitten to the core with genuine affection for every other human at that Bible camp. 

Years later I was a young mom when the curtain tore and I caught a glimpse of my Father’s expression. His beaming countenance. The delight in His eyes. Oh, my God—He was enraptured—with me! And that love changed me. It filled my cup, and it overflowed. It became my before and after. 

The author of my Advent devotional describes the greatest eucatastrophe of all—the one that’s been changing history and lives ever since. The angel visiting Mary. The Spirit overshadowing. The mother of the Messiah breaking out in song. Shepherds and wisemen on bended knee. Joy resounding at the arrival of Love. 

To this day. It’s this LOVE. 

Every joy-filled carol. Every good gift given freely. Lights twinkling like eyes of a Father. The smell of cold in a mitten-clad hug. The laughter of children.

All of it. 

Every single lavish display declaring— 

It’s here!! 

This is our season. 

The sudden, joyous turn. 

When everything changed. 

Before and after. 

Good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Then, now, and forevermore.  

May yours be 

A Merry Eucatastrophe!! 

*Quotes from Advent Meditations by Practicing the Way