Our world (and often times my own blog) communicates that your life should look a certain way in order to attain ‘Happy Home Status.’
This is especially true at Christmas.
We should all have perfect Christmas cards and perfect gifts for people and perfect homemade Christmas treats and perfect Christmas outfits and perfect moments under the mistletoe with our husbands and perfect holiday dinners and perfect drama-free encounters with relatives and perfect children who respond in perfect gratitude when given perfectly wrapped gifts.
Well, friends, hear this message tonight – the first Christmas was far from ‘perfect.’
Mary carried a severe social stigma for being pregnant and unwed.
Mary and Joseph were forced to travel many miles during the final stages of her pregnancy.
When they reached Bethlehem, they were exhausted and yet turned away from every inn.
They had to spend the night in a dark and dirty stable.
Mary gave birth alongside stinky animals.
A feeding trough was the Savior’s first crib…
All these things could have despaired the main characters of the first Christmas story, but they chose to quietly surrender their own ideas of ‘perfect.’
**They chose to obey.**
So this Christmas let’s surrender what we have in our heads as the ‘perfect’ holiday, the perfect memory, the perfect photo {ahem}, the perfect life.
Because in His perspective, it is perfect.
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2
Merry Christmas, sweet blog world friends.
Love,
Julie
What a blessing to see. Thank you for your imperfections. We ALL have them. Xoxo
Thank you for a perfectly timed message and reminder.
I needed this on a Christmas much different and unexpected than every other. You are so wise – thank you. This helped my soul.
Great reminder! Thanks, Julie:)
Wonderful post, Julie. I so agree. Thank you.
As I looked at the pictures I was so thrilled at what God has done in the Happy Baby’s body. What a miracle to see him so active! I know it didn’t help your photos, but it sure did bless me to see him in action. 🙂
Wishing you a very blessed 2014!!!
Absolutely! !! For me as well! Xoxo
Hi Julie,
Thank you for the beautiful message about the first Christmas. It helps put things into perspective. God bless your heart and your family.
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It is all about attitude and perspective. This is such a profound post. Thank you for sharing and blessing us.
I have been looking for a blog that would help point me to Jesus and His joy during my girls rest time, and I am so glad that I have found it here. Thank you for being honest and encouraging. I want to aim for (not that I will acquire it) perfectly pleasing my Savior and not looking perfect.