Christmas is Messy

 I’m not sure when it began, but for several generations now we have been duped. We have been led to believe that alongside the celebration of Jesus’ birth there needs to be more. There needs to be decorations on trees, lights on houses, gingerbread cookies warm from the oven, gifts to buy, parties to attend, and the list goes on. And with all of these “necessary” things comes the misguided idea that it all has to be picture perfect and Pinterest worthy.

  But what happens when it’s not? What happens when you strive to make everything perfect but you burn the cookies, forget to buy Uncle David’s gift, and your beautifully decorated tree is dead two weeks before Christmas Day? Is Christmas ruined?

Christmas can never be ruined because Christmas isn’t about things, it’s about the Person of Jesus. It’s God leaving His dwelling of unimaginable splendor, glory and perfection and stepping into a messy, filthy world.

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7

  Jesus brought His goodness into our brokenness, He shed His light into our darkness. And guess what? Jesus still does this today. He is Emmanuel; God With Us.So if you are finding yourself striving for the perfect Christmas, don’t. It already came. The perfect Christmas was given to us 2,000 years ago. Let the wonder of Jesus be your Christmas.

Then the angel said to them, 
“Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 
For there in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

Dina Pugh