I sat down this afternoon for a little 15 minute rest and was giving myself a pep-talk about how Christmas will not be ruined if we leave some of the decorations in the storage bin, or if we have fewer desserts on the buffet at the party, and if Peter does not have a little red and green bowtie/vest combo to wear to Mass.
And it hit me - we're celebrating the miraculous in the imperfect. A long, grueling trip. No room in the inn. Smelly, mooing creatures to greet the babe.
And regardless of the propriety or lack thereof, of the preparations or lack thereof, Christ came among us. Despite our imperfections. Nay, because of our imperfections.
This celebration is not about the surroundings or the visitors or the gifts. It is about the love and the joy of His Presence, a presence that laughs in the face of human expectations.
So put away the to-do list and look beyond the unswept floors, and look to the smile of friends, the glee of the toddler, and above all to the babe in the manger, the one whose perfect love comes amidst our imperfect world.
Merry Christmas!
And keeping with the theme of imperfection, no time for pictures today! Just imagine a nice shot of a manger here...and pretend that there was a nice summary to catch you up with the last 15 months since I last posted. Maybe it won't be that long again :)
