We all have ideas of what Christmas should be. We see movies, hear songs, and remember Christmases of old with rose-colored glasses. We long for perfect decorations, delectable Christmas cookies, serene family gatherings, and a certain sense of magic in the air. We want everything to feel right, and we crave joy to the world, a silent night, and peace on earth.

But what happens when Christmas isn’t perfect?

What if there’s a discrepancy between what we seek and that which we experience? What if the decorations are ugly, the cookies burn, family gatherings seem tense, and feelings of magic elude you? What if you feel joyless, overstimulated, and anxious?

What if Christmas isn’t perfect?

I’m here to say that that is okay! That is normal.

In fact, it is good that we feel such disparity.

Here’s why.

Christmas can be imperfect because:

1. We were made for perfection.

We were made to live in a perfect world. The garden God created and into which he placed Adam and Eve was flawless. Nothing was wrong. Nothing was broken. Everything was as it should be – beautiful, pure, and peace-filled.

We were made to inhabit this paradise. God created human beings to care for His perfect garden and take dominion.

Therefore it makes sense that perfection feels right. It’s understandable that it’s for what we long, and it’s not surprising that we try to pursue perfection in various ways.

Deep inside us, we know this is not the way it’s supposed to be. We know that there is something more, something better.

The only reason the world isn’t perfect is because of sin. Tears, sickness, division, and death are unnatural and not part of God’s original design.

It’s okay to feel sad about this. It’s okay to ache for how it was supposed to be.

2. Christ is still King.

Christ is still on the throne. He is still reigning, and nothing can or will pull him from his throne. Even if all goes wrong and all feels dark, even when plans fail, hearts are burdened, and prayers seem unanswered, King Jesus is still in control.

He made the world out of nothing and rules the wind and waves. He isn’t threatened by the state of the world, your family or your heart. He’s got it, and one day every knee will bow before Him.

He is a great King, and He is a good King.

3. The first Christmas wasn’t perfect either.

When we think about the first Christmas, the day Jesus was born, it was far from perfect. Yes, there was a choir of angels and a bright shining star, but there was also a no vacancy inn, a suspicious pregnancy, and a murderous king. Mary literally had to give birth in an animal stable that I bet was far from holiday ready and sparkly clean. I bet she was scared. I bet she cried. I bet Joseph tried to put a bold face, while his heart pounded in his chest.

I bet it wasn’t perfect.

But into that brokenness and darkness and fear, Jesus came.

4. We know the Savior.

The world is broken. Problems abound, and yet we know the answer.

We aren’t left wondering why things are as they are or how they will ever be mended. We know the Rescuer, and His name is Jesus.

He was born 2,000 years ago to “save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21b). He lived the perfect life we never could, died in our place as the perfect sacrifice and rose in perfect victory.

When we feel the disparity of what we long for and what we see around us, we can turn to Jesus. He is the Answer.

5. This isn’t our true home.

If this life was all we had, then it would make sense to despair. We could reasonably feel discouraged if all our joys and hopes were of this world. We would place so much pressure on ourselves, our families, and our world to be perfect and fulfilling.

But this world is not all there is, and for us who know Christ, it’s not our true home.

And while I don’t think it’s wrong to feel sorrowful when life is hard, we need to look beyond our circumstances. We need to lift our eyes to Jesus and remember that this life is indeed momentary.

6. The story isn’t over.

For years, God’s people waited for Christ’s first coming. And then He came!

And now we wait for His second. He is coming again!

The story didn’t finish with that baby in the manger. It didn’t even finish with the empty tomb. Yes, Jesus has conquered death and finished paying the sacrifice, but His ultimate redemption is not complete yet.

One day, He will return.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4).

7. It can propel our ministry.

When we experience or learn something good, we talk about it. Whether it’s a new store, a new food, or a new book, we want to share what we love with those around us.

The same can be said for the Gospel in our lives…but to the greatest degree.

When we see the lostness of the world and the hope of Christ, we will seek to reach out to others with the Gospel. As we feel broken over sin and in awe of Christ’s sacrifice, we will want to share the Good News with others. What Christ did will really mean something to us, and we won’t be able to keep the joy to ourselves.

Final Thoughts

As we celebrate this Christmas season, here’s my challenge to all of us. Hold it with an open hand, and celebrate with a heart of thankfulness. Christmas doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. It doesn’t have to be picture-perfect to be beautiful.

Remember Jesus and what He came to bring us. Remember the reason we celebrate.

Merry Christmas!