The Perfect Christmas
When you think of the perfect Christmas, what comes to mind? Beautiful decorations that win the yard of the month in your subdivision? The Christmas tree that is uniform and symmetrical? The perfect Christmas dinner that satisfies everyone’s appetite? God gave us the perfect Christmas when Jesus first came, so we are incapable of recreating one that is perfect. Perfection is illusive because we are imperfect. If we could be perfect, or even have a perfect celebration of Christmas, we wouldn’t need Jesus.
“The deceiver wants us to try to create the perfect Christmas celebration because he wants to distract us from what is truly important.”
The deceiver wants us to try to create the perfect Christmas celebration because he wants to distract us from what is truly important. The perfect Christmas photo or the perfect decor - inside and out - might make us feel good for awhile, but the truth is, it can’t keep us happy for long.
What we’re actually striving for is human recognition of our worth. But recognition from other people doesn’t satisfy. Our worth is recognized, not in what we do, but by the great lengths God went to show us His perfect love for us. Our worth is shown by God sending Jesus to be born and live like one of us, then die as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
A perfect Christmas isn’t going to make us feel good about ourselves for long, even if we could achieve it. Instead of trying to create the perfect Christmas this year, read about the perfect Christmas that has already happened. Read the story in Matthew 2 and Luke 2. Contemplate why Jesus had to come. He came because we are sinners who need a Redeemer.
Our sin separates us from a holy God. That’s why Jesus came - to demonstrate God’s love for us. (Romans 5:8) In His amazing love and mercy, God sent His Son to be our Savior. (Galatians 4:4-5)
This year, instead of striving to have everything go perfectly, go with the flow. Embrace the disasters and imperfections of your December plans. Allow yourself to sit in the presence of the One we celebrate. All the rest is meaningless without Him.
“Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King!” (Angels from the Realms of Glory)
“O come, let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!” (O Come All Ye Faithful)
- written by Jeanie Gainey, Deacon of Women’s Ministry