We all have our ideals about what "Christmas" should look like. Those that awaited the Savior of the world had their own understanding about what was going to take place when He came. The King of Kings came as a newborn baby, not to a palace but a stable, dependent and lowly. No friends and family were present. His parents were poor. The king of the land had heard about His birth and had ordered all baby boys two years and younger to be killed. Some would consider His appearing lame.
Ideals Vs Reality
The tree is trimmed in festive beauty it is a wonder to behold. The next thing you know, the cat tried attacking an ornament and the tree goes down in a heap.
Decorative holiday windows are fun to create with manger scene and the name of Jesus written boldly. Someone else didn't appreciate it for they shot a bullet into our window on the J.
Oh, we all love the Christmas photo cards and proudly post them for all to see. But...all parents know that the smiles we see are not always the reality of what transpired when the family portrait took place.
We were dreaming of a white Christmas, it finally came and we all got bundled up and went outside to the winter wonderland. Cries were heard from our children. They declared they hated the snow, were freezing and wanted to go inside.
We need to surrender our ideals and embrace what happens. We can choose joy and contentment. Peace can be found in the unexpected.
God's plan was, and is, glorious.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:8-20
Enjoy your Christmas, don't make comparisons with Christmas past or with what you see others doing. God has some glorious happening in store for your family if you will just trust Him.
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