Christmas Let Down (a reflection)

A little post intro: I realized last night that I am in a difficult season. I know and believe all the same truth I always have, but just have not been walking with the same faith and expectation that God is really there working in my life. I feel like there is a new season ahead of me, God is leading me into a new place, that will look different then what I know and wants me to follow him there... 

eating snow, but no yellow snow

sledding down our little hill :)

snowflake tasting (i look so intense, ha)

 Christmas Caroling in Academy Heights (accordion and all)

With that context here is a little Christmas reflection I wrote, after reading a leaflet Peter brought back from the Friary... thought I'd share...

Christmas time is supposed to be one of the most joyful times of they year... but so often it falls short of what we hope it would be. I can have such high expectations of myself and all that I will accomplish, make and prepare. Also, so often my expectations of Christmas itself can fail to be met, all the traditions, beauty, nostalgia, and celebration on the one hand, but at the end of the day I feel utter exhaustion and even relief, instead of full of the peace and joy I was hoping for.

But I must remember, the first Christmas preparations certainly were not perfect, as The Nativity Story portrays so well, Mary was thought to be an adulterer, and even after Joseph took her as his wife, the couple was shunned by their community. Then they were required to travel 80 miles at such a difficult and uncomfortable time in Mary’s pregnancy. Then, of course, Jesus’ birth was less then ideal: there was no room at the Inn, so Mary gave birth in a stable both dirty and smelly, they had rather disreputable guests (shepherds), and then unexpectedly had to flee to Egypt.

It’s pretty clear, Jesus was born into humility; he broke into the mess and even violence of life, but with a purpose. And if I looked to him as my model, maybe my expectations would change dramatically. Perhaps I would take the “perfect” out of Christmas, accept the mess, break traditions that don’t bear fruit, love first even when it’s hard, give presence over presents. Rather then be surprised and disappointed when things get challenging this Christmas, maybe I could find purpose in any difficulty. All I need to do is take a moment and look at the little child in the manger... and then recognize that I am LOVED THAT MUCH, that he would go to such length for me. And be certain that in this child lies my HOPE.