I Wish You an Okay Christmas

Commentary by Holly Roseman

I have to admit that I am a sucker for glossy magazine-cover images: Martha Stewart Living, Southern Living, Cottage Living, any kind of ‘Living.’ The glossy images of perfect homes filled with perfect families. In reality, I know they’re not really perfect. I tell myself, “Okay, Holly. Remember. This is a photo shoot. These people don’t live like this day to day. I’m sure they have dirty socks on the floor and Saturday’s newspaper strewn about the family room.” But, deep down, I want what’s in those pictures. I look at those magazines and discontentment gets a foothold.

One afternoon a few weeks ago I was having my own Better Homes and Gardens moment. I was sitting in my favorite chair drinking a Chai latte’ and reading a book on Christian parenting. It was peaceful, tranquil...too tranquil as I soon came to find out. My kids had been playing outside on that crisp fall afternoon and had now moved their play to the boys’ bedroom at the end of the hall. I heard pleasant chatter. No one had called each other “poop head” or “Mr. Fatty” for at least six minutes. Ahhh! Why couldn’t every afternoon be like this?

I read on in my book for a few more minutes, smiling at the author’s wit and touching anecdotes about her own children. I was inspired. “I think I’ll go tell my kids how great they are,” I thought to myself. “Yep, here I go down the hall to create one of my own Norman Rockwell moments: a loving mother hugging her three adoring children.”

Hold everything. “You’re throwing what out of your bedroom window?!” Suddenly I realized the reason my children had been so quiet. They were up to mischief. I approached the gaping window and saw the contents of my daughter’s toy box strewn across the backyard.

“What are you doing?” I asked in that sharp, snappy voice that makes me sound like a shrew. I hate that voice. “Why on earth are you throwing Lydia’s toys out the window?” “Lydia said we could,” whined one. “I didn’t do it,” said another. “You did too,” the first shot back. “Well, just three, and you told me to,” retorted the second. All the while, Lydia sat there silently grinning. She wasn’t any more innocent than her two defensive older brothers. There went my perfect afternoon, strewn across the backyard were hot pink Barbie shoes.

In retrospect, this story is pretty funny, but it illustrates a problem with which I often struggle, and I’m fairly certain that I’m not the only one.

The root of the problem lies in that word “perfect.” We crave perfection. Why shouldn’t we? God created us in His image and He is perfect. But we live in a fallen world and we simply cannot achieve perfection this side of Heaven. We may have the occasional ‘magazine-cover’ moment, but such moments are always short-lived and certainly pale in comparison to the true perfection that God has planned for us.

Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” And yet we keep on trying, always looking to things and circumstances to fit that ideal image that lives on in our mind’s eye.

I have a lovely home. It’s comfortable, and tastefully decorated. It keeps my family warm in winter and cool in summer. And yet, I am always looking for ways to make it better and achieve that magazine image. I have a dream of busting out a wall in the kitchen. A new refrigerator would be nice too. You know—one with the big freezer drawer on the bottom. I’ve convinced myself that then I’ll be satisfied.

Ironically, the Bible says just the opposite. Matthew 19:21 records a conversation between Jesus and a rich young ruler. Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” There’s not a single verse in the Bible about a stainless steel refrigerator.

It seems that no other time of year has more idealistic imagery associated with it than the Christmas season. There’s a certain way Christmas is supposed to be. Bing Crosby croons about white Christmases and silver bells. We imagine loving times of family togetherness, cozy afternoons around the fireplace with hot apple cider. You get the idea. But, I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s had a festive evening of tree-decorating spoiled with tangled Christmas lights or bickering over who gets to put the star on top. Somehow or someway, we end up disappointed. Things just don’t live up to our expectations.

And during the Christmas shopping frenzy just count how many retailers advertise that their product (quote) “makes the perfect gift.” I’m sorry, but neither a Chia Pet nor a cordless razor is my idea of the perfect gift.

The truth is, we’ve already received the Perfect Gift. And it wasn’t wrapped in fancy foil paper, but in swaddling cloths. It wasn’t lying under a decorated tree, but in an animal’s feed trough. But listen to the advertising campaign recorded in the Gospel of Luke. “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”

Jesus Christ is the Perfect Gift. And He came for all of us. Did you hear what the angel said? A Savior has been born to you. He will be for all the people. And, unlike the too-tight pants or the or the book you’ve already read that you end up returning the day after Christmas, Jesus Christ truly is the gift that keeps on giving. And the best part is not just that Christ is perfect, but He makes us perfect. Hebrews 10:10 says, “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” And verse 14 goes on, “because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”

So, this Christmas, my kids probably won’t be as grateful as I think they should, and they most likely will fight over who gets to sit in the window seat on the drive to grandma’s house. This Christmas, I will probably feel cramped in my kitchen when I’m trying to get Christmas breakfast on the table. This Christmas it most likely won’t snow, and the wreath on my door won’t look as elegant as the one in Midwest Living. This Christmas will be nice, but things and circumstances will not live up to my expectations. But Jesus will. And if, on December 26th, I get the post-holiday blues, I’m going to remember what I have to look forward to. Let me describe it to you:

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has passed away.’” (Revelation 21:1-4)

In closing, let me wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year, but more than that, let me wish you a perfect eternity.

Holly Roseman is a hobby writer and homeschooling mom of three children, ages 9, 7 and 5. She is a children’s teacher in Community Bible Study as well as a preschool Sunday school teacher at West County Christian Church. She and her husband, Rob, and their children live in Ballwin.