When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things – not the great occasions – give off the greatest glow of happiness.
~Bob Hope
There is something about Christmas that brings out the longing for perfection. If you are anything like me, you have visions of reading Christmas stories by the firelight while peace and good will abound inside the cozy four walls of your Pottery Barn home.
I don’t think that longing will ever go away for me.
But what if your Christmas {and mine} turns out to be more Christmas Story than White Christmas? What if perfection remains as un-reachable as it always has been?
What if your family is less like this:
And more like this?
Let’s face it. Perfection is but a distant dream.
I was reminded of this reality recently.
We’ve been enjoying our Advent Box again this year and my boys love opening each door to find out which Christmas activity we will complete each day.
One of our first activities included setting up our Nativity Scene with our beloved figurines that my husband brought home from a missions trip to Africa:
Yesterday, this is how I found Joseph, Mary, the Baby Jesus and their friends:
Either there was a sudden earthquake in Bethlehem, or I know a certain 3 year old who thought Mary and Joseph needed a little change of scenery.
Apparently he didn’t get the memo about Christmas perfection.
As a Mom of two busy boys (and one on the way–surprise!), this longing for perfection is a lot like that whole analogy with Jello and nails and a wall. It ain’t gonna happen. (NOTE: This was written a few years ago. The “one on the way” is now a very active, very fun three year old!)
SO what is the answer then? How can we enjoy this season and celebrate it well – imperfection and all?
For me, it’s two words:
Simple Pleasures.
Things like:
- Taking a car ride looking at Christmas lights.
- Making cookies with my kids–even if they are the Pillsbury kind.
- Learning how children in other countries celebrate Christmas.
- Making time to read Christmas books. Lots of them.
- Using our Nativity figurines to act out the Christmas story on Christmas morning. (If they make it until Christmas morning, that is.)
- Savoring our Advent readings every night – while accepting the fact that my boys will likely fight over who gets to blow out the candle until always and forever.
And when one those moments of perfection pop up–as they occasionally do–I soak them up.
Just ignore the peanut butter smeared all over his face, will you?
Oh–and one more thing? That family pictured above…they’re mine. That was the year that my Mom bought us all ugly Christmas sweaters–just for fun.
Like I said–Simple Pleasures.
Want to transform your Christmas with us? My Book The Merry Little Christmas Project – Five Words that will Transform your Christmas has helped thousands of women do just that. If you have ever wished that Christmas didn’t have to be so stressful, I wrote this book for you. Click here to learn more and begin simplifying and organizing your Christmas with me!
I love the nativity. I’m sure Jesus smiles each time a child “messes” with a nativity.
Thank you for your kind comments everyone. They mean a lot to me!
I love your postings and the time you take to write them! It is great to see young people talk about the true meaning of Christmas and not just what you can buy/get. Truly it is the celebration of Jesus’s birth and the family and friend gatherings. As for the perfect Christmas…well for most that never happens. It is important for all of us to slow down and enjoy the simplest things in life and not to look back at how others (seem) to be perfect. I loved the pictures of before and after and my home certainly represents that as well!
Congrats to you and your family.
Congrats to you both on the new addition!
This year when my christmas cards came and I realized I had put in the wrong picture I wanted to cry. Here I pictured a perfect christmas card with our cute family all smiling and we got the picture of my kids pulling faces and teasing each other. after a cry I realized that it was perfect. It represented who we really are. life at my house is not perfect. I remembered the fourth of July and how I had a melt down because I didn’t get a cute picture of my girls all decked out for the fourth. I have a sister who is always perfect she makes life misserable for everyoone striving for perfection. I have spent the last few years trying to keep up with her, but I decided that this year I AM NOT STRIVING FOR A PERFECT CHRISTMAS! WHO SAYS THAT WE HAVE TO DO THAT! This year I am being myself. I WILL BE TRUE TO ME AND MY FAMILY. This year we are striving to teach our children about the true meaning of christmas. we will have a PERFECT FOR US christmas. Thank you for your post about a non perfect life. Your blog is inspiring to all of us!
This is a perfect example of what I am talking about, Melanie! Now I just wish I could see your card. 🙂
This year we are scaling Christmas way down both for finacial and spiritual reasons. Remembering when my mom died on Dec 10 19 yrs ago. We spent Chistmas with my aunt and her family (mom’s sister). No gifts were given out. In addition to the great food we spent time talking about Christmas and sharing stories about my mom. Oddly enough this was one of my best Christmas memories.
Great post!
Thanks for sharing Kaley. Last weekend, we had a wonderful time decorating our new house. But it isn’t just about the decorations, it was about the time spent together!
I’m laughing about your story and photo’s of your Manger scene. I had Keith & Alison’s girls tonight and asked them to put my nativity set out for display. Emma was really into what each person’s role was in the birth of Christ…Wise Men, Stable ‘tender, Mary, Joseph, etc… Kayla..not so much…she sees them as play things and was having a discussion with Joseph about taking care of his animals, the donkey and the sheep….no mention of being sure Baby Jesus got fed. I had to help her understand how important that was. Makes me smile!!! 🙂
Love it! Reminds me of a few years ago when I read the Christmas story to Griffin while he acted it out with the characters. There was a whole lot of punching the bad guy in the story. Definitely a different take on things! 🙂
Also wanted to wish you Congrats!
Thank you, Tanya!
Maybe it’s my age and having lived through so many Chritmas holidays as part of a blended family or maybe I just finally “get it”. I decorate less and spend time with family and friends more. We no longer have a family Pollyanna but rather use our culinary, craft or bull power to make small unique gifts or do favors for each other.
Everyone feels less stressed and able to focus on the true reason for this blessed season.
My wish is for all your followers to be able to simplyfy and enjoy this holiday.
(BTW I didn’t notice the peanut butter till it was pointed out. The cherub face caught my eye ).
Thanks for this, Cath. Sometimes we think that more is better…when really it’s just more, isn’t it?
Congratulations! 🙂
Thanks, Michelle!