And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:10-12

What do you picture Christmas to be? Specifically yours?

You know. The anticipation. What’s the picture in your head?

Children all accounted for and pleasant. Smiling, dressed in their new outfits, perfectly calm and cooperative.

Husband abiding dutifully by your every wish – after all, your ability to orchestrate the perfect Christmas cannot be doubted.

Your parents playing the proper grandparent role, doling out hugs and kisses to one and all.

The family traditional meal perfectly prepped. Your Grandmother would be proud.

Presents all wrapped, waiting for the excited hands to tear open. Everyone will love them as you spent your time thoughtfully shopping along their tastes and needs.

All family members happily sitting together at the lovely Christmas Eve service, complete with candles and carols, accompanied, of course, by the organ.

Finally, your home is clean, laundry caught up, and even the mail has been filed away.

This Christmas scenario seems like a one in a million lottery draw, creeping to align with one of God’s lesser creation miracles.

When what you picture doesn’t materialize, because it just won’t, what is your reaction?

Do you try harder the next year after your disappointment the year before?

Pout and grieve parts of the actual day away?

Or smile and stand tall anyhow?

Jesus wasn’t born among perfection.

So actually, an imperfect Christmas is holy. Right?

We try to create memories for our family. But the picture in our head is ours alone. Not theirs. Not God’s.

Prep and plan. But pause and pray more.

If your family is not all present, Jesus is still born.

If someone comes to dinner in a bad mood, Jesus is still born.

If your church forgoes real candles for fake battery imitators, Jesus is still born.

If all your presents are absolute flops, Jesus is still born.

We celebrate only because of Jesus.

We celebrate our love for others because of Jesus’ love for us.

Remain focused on Jesus, our baby in the manger.

He came to free you from sin. And from any chain that binds you up while you’re still here.

And that includes our unrealistic expectations of the day, others, and yourself.

Photos by Keith Tanner, Ksenia Yakovleva, Mike Cox, & Patti Black on Unsplash