I don’t know about you, but for me the reality of the Christmas season doesn’t always look the way it does in movies, magazines, or even here on social media.
Some days it’s hard to find my joy. Some days anxiety and worry weigh down my spirit.
The world tells us we should be joyful and merry, peaceful and bright during the Christmas season. Of course, it also clamors for us to do more, buy more, be more, and have more.
Even when we know better, it can be hard. Even when life is good, so good and full of blessings, it can be difficult to soak up the wonder that is Christmas and leave behind the stress of the season.
Though my heart says Christmas is not about the gifts or the wrapping, or if the casserole turns out “just so”, sometimes my mind begins to churn wondering if the gifts we have for the kids are enough, wondering if the food we are preparing is good enough, wondering if the Christmas activities we’ve enjoyed with our little ones are memorable enough.
And though my heart whispers, “It’s enough;” my mind shouts “Do more!”
Though my heart whispers, “Just be;” my mind exclaims “Be more!”
You see, I know and believe all the adages about Jesus being the reason for the season. I know in the grand scheme of things none of the things I’ve listed above really matter. I realize that sharing the love of Jesus, sharing kindness, and serving others is what Christmas is really about.
Yet, it’s still hard sometimes, isn’t it? It’s hard to let go of all the churning and striving, the pushing and doing, the worrying and fretting.
It’s hard to quiet our minds…to simply be.
To be peaceful.
To be quiet.
To be present.
To be joyful.
So, I needed some encouragement myself today, and I thought perhaps some of you may need some too.
I need to remember that there is no such thing as a “perfect” Christmas. Even that first Christmas 2000 years ago, was far from perfect. Yes, a perfect Savior was born, but He was born in a very imperfect stable, to imperfect parents, in an imperfect town, with imperfect visitors.
And yet, because of that birth, to those imperfect parents, in that imperfect barn, in that imperfect town, we have hope.
So wherever you are today friends, let’s remember we don’t have to be perfect. We don’t have to get it ALL done. The kids don’t need a “perfect” Christmas to have a joyful one. Our homes don’t need to be perfect to be welcoming. Our days don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.
The purpose of Christmas is not found in perfection, but in the perfect Savior redeeming the imperfect.
And I don’t know about you, but this brings me peace, joy, and hope this Christmas season
