The "Imperfect" Christmas

What is it about Christmas this year that you would like to be different? Do you miss someone who has passed away, moved away, too far away or chooses to be away because of relationship issues? Do you wish that you had more money to spend or do you wish you had less money, because of expectations people place on you. Do you wish you had less parties or events to attend, or do you wish someone would invite you to at least one...

Christmas MUST BE more than parties, gifts, family and friends, because we will not always have those at Christmas time.

It is hard and sad to believe, but there are people all over the world who are just trying to survive... spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically and financially this time of year, that Christmas will be just another day to them. Some people are hurting so badly that they sigh in relief when Christmas has come and gone.

There is often a bitter-sweetness about Christmas. I think even for Mary the Mother of Jesus, there was a bitter-sweet moment when she "pondered all these things in her heart." She knew that Jesus was hers but He also belonged to the world. She had to share Him from the very first moment she laid eyes on Him.

I have many sad Christmas memories...life altering Christmases...imperfect Christmases...but the Christ of Christmas has never let me down.

History choose a day for us to celebrate His birth, but I think even for Jesus on whatever day He was actually born, the first Christmas was a bitter-sweet one also. You see, He was born to die. The moment He was born a plan was set in motion that led to an excruciating death. What makes this story sweet for me, is that Jesus kept walking toward the cross from day one. He had to live an obedient life in order to walk all the way to the cross. The great gift at Christmas is not that He was born, but that He began walking toward the cross for thirty-three years and said "Your Will, Not My Will" at that crucial moment of obedience.

Thank You Jesus for Christmas, Thank You Jesus for the Cross and Thank You for "Beating Death" so that I can live!

I think Jesus would have liked to change some things about Christmas, but He didn't because of His great love for us. In the midst of your imperfect Christmas, look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of your faith. He makes ALL THINGS NEW and when we focus on Him...Look into His eyes...a gaze, instead of a glance...Christmas will be more sweet than bitter.

Thank you Jesus for Christmas, in all of it's imperfections...

That's all for now...until next time...that's my take on it!