The Perfect Christmas

A friend found out she would undergo major surgery mid-December, a surgery that involved a difficult recovery process, including a hospital stay through Christmas.  I thought of the disappointment that surely fell upon her, as she would miss the usual Christmas meals and gift-opening with family and friends.  She had been in pain since Thanksgiving. 

While most things that befall us during December are not the end of the world, Christmas comes each year with unspoken expectations of peace, joy, happy surprises and a chance of snow.  Maybe this year will be the perfect Christmas.  Is any year a perfect Christmas?  There are always financial constraints, time limitations, overly-excited and tired children, colds, coughs, running out of wrapping paper and tape on Christmas Eve, burning the cookies and forgetting the egg nog…and yes for some, devastating and unforgettable loss.

With our modern Christmases having the potential for a stress extravaganza, why do we continue to have this hope at Christmas?  Because we should!

Since having children of my own, the story of Mary giving birth to Jesus in a stable place has been more to ponder than a sweet picture on a Christmas card.   The angel had come to visit her some months beforehand, assuring her in person she had the favor of God.  (Luke 1:30) Matthew explains that “all this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin shall be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call His name Immanuel” -  which means, ‘God with us.’”  However, how did Mary manage to cope as she endured labor pains traveling to Bethlehem?  How was she when the baby was coming and there was no clean place, a bed, a nurse?  The smells, the sounds and the uncertainty must have gone contrary to her expectations. Maybe what got her through was she remembered, really remembered, that God and His favor were with her, a theme reiterated by the angels to the shepherds:  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.”  (Luke 2:14)

When people have been walking in darkness, without hope of eternity, sick with sin, the gift of salvation is a gift worthy of running through the streets of towns and knocking on doors announcing the Good News.  Our worst fear of dying a permanent death is replaced with hope of everlasting life.  How can this indescribable gift be described?  (2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV) Our sins will not be counted against us when we open this gift.  Life has more meaning as we live as God with us, not as God as our personal assistant, but God with us who will hear our petitions and prayers and send His comfort, change our hearts and welcome us.

I think it’s this hope that has been with mankind throughout the ages that reappears each Christmastime, with hope of peace and love in every heart.  It’s the hope that was fulfilled in the manger long ago, God with us.

As we go through this season, if disappointments come and if the unexpected strikes, remember the perfection of Christmas is this: God is with you.

P.S. My friend’s surgery had an unexpected twist for the better, and she was home December 22.