Giving Up on Perfection - Chapter 2

Christmas Isn't Your Birthday  By Mike Slaughter

 Chapter 2 - Giving up on Perfection

The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary,for you have found favor with God.  And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus...." Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"

(Luke 1:30-31,34 NRSV)

What is your expectation of Christmas? 

This verse captures all of the questions we have about the Mystery of Christmas.  Of all those impacted by the coming of our savior, Mary is most significant. How is it that she faced her situation with such strength.  Was it without question? No, first question,"How can this be?".  This, I'm sure, was the first of many questions.  There was nothing about her situation that would even hint at perfect. Mary and Joseph both suffered great loss and hardship in the course of their journey. And Joseph had questions of his own. Yet our picture is perfect: a beautiful baby in swaddling clothes surrounded by 'lowing' cattle, no crying he makes. 

The author recounts images of what the stable might have been like where Jesus was born.  

Jesus was born in a stable, a cave where animals were kept. Where there are animals there is dung and where there is dung there are flies!
Not so perfect.

He further proposes,

It is easy to sanitize the birth event because we approach the story of the incarnation already knowing the end. It's kind of like missing the experience of a good book or movie because your friend already told you how it turned out. Therefore, we have to understand the Immanuel event in the  context of what Mary was experiencing at that moment. 
Miracles never happen outside of the mystery and the mess.

So we're still looking for the perfect part of Christmas.  We have the picture in our mind of how the day should be yet we find  rarely that we are able to meet the expectation.  Whether it's the celebration, the presents or the people, how can we achieve the picture in our mind? The author offers two favorite bible verses shared with him at a young age by his Grandmother as a possible focus,

 "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20)

God not only came but is still here.  We can now know " that our prayers recognized the reality that God is here and pursuing a relationship with each of us."  This does not mean it won't get 'messy' and many aspects may be far from the 'perfect' we have in mind. If we extend this thought to those around us, the relationships we cherish especially at this time of year, and how we invite others to be a part of our celebration it might be that we're on to something!  

What does this add up to: Perfection is not the answer. We are the answer.

In the midst of all the mess, God will show up.

Peace & Prayers,

Elaine

Questions for Reflection:

1. What is your vision of a perfect Christmas?  What imperfect circumstances will you face this that will challenge your ability to celebrate Christmas fully?

2. How do you think Mary felt in the months leading up to Jesus' birth? How does her experience of the first Christmas influence how you approach the holiday season?

3. How can you celebrate Jesus in the midst of your struggles? How can God use your struggles to help others this Christmas?