A Perfect Christmas

I remember the days of being a young mother and at Christmas time I had the notion that everything needed to be perfect for us to have a memory making holiday season. But with three boys perfect should not have been the goal I was striving for. My expectations of a perfect Christmas consisted of a beautifully decorated tree and house, a delicious meal, picture perfect clothing, and most of all everyone being on their best behavior. Basically, what I was doing was setting myself up for failure. My expectations were such that they were unattainable. For years I did all the things but found myself less than excited when Christmas day came. The anticipation of Christmas was greater than the reality. It took me a lot of years to figure out that I was the one sucking the joy out of Christmas not only for myself but for those around me. Nothing in life is perfect or ever will be. So, what made me think I could create that atmosphere within my own home?

Today my life is much different than in those early years. Our Christmas tree goes up when I have the time to devote to decorating it. It may happen in 1 day or maybe 2 but that’s okay because I take the time to enjoy the process and reflect on the beauty that it brings. The house gets decorated in small pockets of time until I decide its finished, no time restraints. The presents get bought some in October, some the 20th of December, but that’s okay too. The sugar cookies are made mostly with the help of the grandkids. Some cookies will have half of a bottle of sprinkles while the other half are unrecognizable as to the shape because our dough wasn’t chilled just right. Whatever the case we eat them, and we know we made memories making them. I enjoy time spent with family and friends and set no conditions on how everyone should act or behave. I simply recognize that God created us all differently and I try to celebrate the love that keeps us bound together as a family.

Doesn’t the real joy come in the journey, in the anticipation of what is to come? If we lose our joy in the day to day, the reality of the destination will never measure up to our expectations. Our faith journey is much the same. Our life on this earth is our journey and our destination is heaven if we believe in Jesus Christ and follow him. Are we living with the expectation that one day we will be able to live in perfect union with the one who created us? That will be a PERFECT Christmas!