The Perfect Christmas

Have you struggled to find the perfect Christmas present for your loved ones this year? Did you hover over your children for hours trying to capture the perfect Christmas picture? Have your attempts to create the ideal Christmas robbed you of your joy and peace this season?

Think of your most vivid Christmas memories. Often, it is the most horrendous of mishaps that leave the lasting memories. Even the classic Christmas movies fit this pattern. We remember Charlie Brown’s Christmas because of his pitiable little tree. We smile with little Cindy-Lou Who as she sings with joy even after the Grinch stole her Christmas.

One year our family set out to impress our guests with an extravagant holiday celebration. We splurged at the store and came home with a huge package of jumbo shrimp. Our hands shriveled like prunes after the hours under cold water as we peeled and deveined the centerpiece of our feast. “Please, Dad”, we begged, “Can we just try one shrimp?” “They are for our guests, you’ll have to wait”, was the reply. The shrimp looked lovely, piled high on the crystal tray. As the doorbell rang, Nana carried the heavy tray to the coffee table as we greeted our guests in the entry. By the time we gathered coats and hugs and made our way to the den, our 150 pound Great Dane, Misha, had devoured every last shrimp. I don’t know who was more sickened; my Dad, at the wasted expense, or my dog, for obvious reasons. I don’t remember what we ate that night, but we laughed and enjoyed each other even though our big plans had fallen flat.

In "A Christmas Story" nine-year old Ralphie pines for his dream gift: a genuine Red Ryder 200-shot Carbine Action Air Rifle. We learn along with Ralphie that even the most coveted possessions can disappoint. His teachers, his parents and Santa all tell him, “You’ll shoot your eye out!” As the family’s preconceived notions of the perfect Christmas dissolve, they find joy and happiness with a new tradition of Chinese Turkey as we “Fa ra ra” along.

It’s time to abandon the concept of the perfect Christmas anything. These overblown expectations serve only to frustrate our lives and cause undue anxiety. We end up bitter and angry (like Martha) toiling in the kitchen instead of enjoying the presence of our family and guests (as Mary remembered).

Reclaim the joy and peace that God intended for you this Christmas and always. Trust God that you are where you are supposed to be. Enjoy the unexpected and embrace all that is imperfect. That is my Christmas wish for you!