Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

Luke 2:14 

The battle with perfectionism is an ongoing challenge for me, especially during the holidays. The perfect decorations, food planning, gifts, church activities and family fun and accommodations often result in uncontrolled stress if I begin my agenda with an “upside down plan”—ignoring the inclusion of “unplanned” time.

Why do some people think everything has to be perfect during the holidays? 

Making plans for food, gifts, and activities are good; but forgetting to include time for extemporaneous moments is often the key to experiencing a welcoming atmosphere filled with love and joy.

The Gospel accounts in Matthew and Luke that include the birth of Jesus are filled with imperfections. The shock of how the Christ Child’s birth and survival occurred was a story of imperfections which eventually led to the fulfillment of God’s perfect plan of the birth of His Son, Jesus.

Mary’s dismay of an unplanned pregnancy. (Matthew 1:18) 

Joseph’s plan to divorce Mary was thwarted by an angel appearing in a dream.

 (Matthew 1:20)

Joseph’s inability to find a room at the inn for his betrothed wife while in labor after a long and arduous journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

 (Luke 2:6) 

Mary’s labor and the Christchild’s birth on a bed of hay in a most unlikely place.

 (Luke 2:8-9)

The shepherds’ terror when an angel appeared in the sky making a strange announcement. (Luke 2:9)

The Magis’ dream instructing them to return by a different route. (Matthew 2:12)

 King Herod’s two failed plans to harm Baby Jesus. (Matthew 2:7-14)

God’s perfect plan for the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ, was fulfilled through ordinary humans. With the exception of King Herod, their patience and obedience during the perilous times of imperfection eventually revealed the perfect miracle of the birth of our Savior—God’s Perfect Plan fulfilled.

How will you accept imperfections in your holiday plans this year?

Dear LORD, As we celebrate the birth of your Son Jesus, I ask that you surround my plans with the expectation of imperfections to occur. Please grant me thanksgiving that I live in your Presence. I ask you for patience, obedience, creativity, flexibility and self-control so that those in our home for Christmas will experience love, joy and peace—in spite of all the “imperfections!”.

Jill Hendrix
*all Bible scripture references: New International Version (1973, 1978, 1984)