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How To Have An Imperfect Christmas
How to Have an Imperfect Christmas
December 13, 2012 - by Kristen Habermehl
Beautiful, yet sticky gingerbread houses…Sparkling, yet messy Christmas trees…Excited, yet active children…however we look at it, Christmas is a time for diametric experiences that call us to stand up tall, take deep breaths and celebrate regardless of the chaos!
Only once a year do we have the privilege of turning our calendars over and seeing the word “CHRISTMAS” shining back at us and the thrill of watching of children electric with excitement for the season. And every year we have the same choice – are we going to pursue Martha Stewart perfection or child-like pleasure?
As moms, we can't have both perfection and pleasure! If we’re going to see their eyes light up and their hearts filled with joyous, childhood memories; then something has to give, because nothing robs happiness at Christmas faster than a mom whose goal is perfection.
The richest moments are carved out in the pleasure, not in the perfection.
It isn’t possible to have "perfect" anything with children -- and even if we could attain it, we'd have to achieve it by stealing joy from the ones we ultimately are trying to bless.
When it comes to Christmas, we need to remind ourselves that perfection is not important. In fact, it does not even contain a hint of how Christmas began.
Travel back with me, to the night the King of Heaven and Earth came to dwell among us...
Mary, giving birth in a stable - where is there any perfection in that, dear moms, who've experienced the intensity of childbirth?
Joseph, not able to provide a humble hotel room - where is there any perfection in that, for the men who love to provide for their wives?
Brand-new, infant Jesus, wrapped in old rags for meager efforts of warmth - where is there any perfection in that, to have your little one shivering in the cold?
God's plan was never perfection and nothing has changed in the last two-thousand years; child-like pleasure in the blessings of the moment is still the heart of God for our families.
Reflect on the words of this beautiful adaptation of I Corinthians 13…
If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass balls, but do not show love to my family - I'm just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals, and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family - I'm just another cook.
If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family - it profits me nothing.
If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ - I have missed the point.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love doesn't envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way.
Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
Love never fails.
Video games will break; pearl necklaces will be lost; golf clubs will rust.
But giving the gift of love will endure. (Sharon Jaynes)
So this season, let's give our families the most wonderful Christmas ever – one full of love, selflessness and joy found in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ – who was the greatest gift ever given. And let's leave perfection out in the cold, where it belongs! Merry Christmas, you beautiful moms!
KRISTEN HABERMEHL
myheartathome.com
Kristen Habermehl is blessed to be a wife and home-schooling mom of five. She finds great joy in making her house a home in Nova Scotia, Canada, where she also writes, speaks and blogs for moms
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