Christmas and perfection. While we don’t usually think of those two words as related, I can think of two ways they are.
The first is that most of us want to create the “Perfect Christmas” for our families. We want to find the perfect gift, make perfect cookies, create a perfect Christmas Eve experience, and have a perfect Christmas morning. We want all of that to make memories for our family.
Our unrealistic expectations have a good motive, right?
While our motives are usually pure, our expectations are often off the charts. Perfection isn’t attainable on this side of heaven. Goals are fine. Unrealistic expectations are not, because they set us up for disappointment, discouragement, and disillusionment.
With the holidays upon us, we need to set realistic expectations of what the holiday really can look like for our family, our financial means, our season of life, and our circumstances.
How do we do that?
We replace creating “the perfect Christmas” with embracing “the perfect Christ.” Christmas isn’t really about cookies, presents, or even Christmas trees. It’s about the birthday of the King who shines His light through the imperfect places in our life.
God loved us enough to send His Son to this earth. He was fully God and fully man. He experienced pain, disappointment, joy, laughter, sadness, and every other emotion we experience. We have a God that is not distant and disconnected, but He truly is a Friend who understands.
THAT’S what we celebrate at Christmas.
Perfection can be found during the Christmas season…but only in the Christ-child.
Merry Christmas from my family to yours!
Jill
