Everything Must Be Just Perfect
Every year during the first week of Advent, I go down into the basement and haul up the large cardboard box with the artificial tree in it. Once the three pieces are stacked together and the branches are spread out to look nice, then it is time for me to do my part: I am the only one that can put the lights on the Christmas tree.
Now, this is a sort of self-imposed rule. I have a specific way of running the strand around the tree, clockwise, so that it is evenly spaced and ends exactly at the very top. So I insist, and my family allows, that I add the lights.
Beyond that, I actually have little to do with decorating the tree. As the tallest, I put up the angel at the top. I hang the two ornaments that I like. Then I let the rest of the family decorate the tree as they wish. But those lights must be perfect.
Sometimes it feels like all of Christmas must be perfect. On social media, we see wonderfully decorated homes. We watch movies and ads with perfect family moments. Even in comedies, when everything goes haywire, the fact that it isn’t a perfect Christmas is ‘wrong.’
These societal ideals can put a lot of stress on us to make everything as good as possible. To worry about the decorations, the food, the music, the itinerary. The stress can overtake any other emotion. We cannot feel the joy, wonder, hope, or excitement because it is all overridden by the anxiety that we will ruin Christmas.
Yet, remember that the first Christmas was not perfect by any means. A bunch of the guests, the shepherds, found out just before the party and went in their work clothes. Some of the other guests had to get directions from a star. The venue was a barn filled with animals. The guest of honor was a newborn lying in a feeding trough.
So this year, when you prepare for and celebrate Christmas, remember that God is not looking for, or even expecting, perfect. God has provided perfection in the gift of his son. All we need to do is bring an honest and joyful heart.
Now, this is a sort of self-imposed rule. I have a specific way of running the strand around the tree, clockwise, so that it is evenly spaced and ends exactly at the very top. So I insist, and my family allows, that I add the lights.
Beyond that, I actually have little to do with decorating the tree. As the tallest, I put up the angel at the top. I hang the two ornaments that I like. Then I let the rest of the family decorate the tree as they wish. But those lights must be perfect.
Sometimes it feels like all of Christmas must be perfect. On social media, we see wonderfully decorated homes. We watch movies and ads with perfect family moments. Even in comedies, when everything goes haywire, the fact that it isn’t a perfect Christmas is ‘wrong.’
These societal ideals can put a lot of stress on us to make everything as good as possible. To worry about the decorations, the food, the music, the itinerary. The stress can overtake any other emotion. We cannot feel the joy, wonder, hope, or excitement because it is all overridden by the anxiety that we will ruin Christmas.
Yet, remember that the first Christmas was not perfect by any means. A bunch of the guests, the shepherds, found out just before the party and went in their work clothes. Some of the other guests had to get directions from a star. The venue was a barn filled with animals. The guest of honor was a newborn lying in a feeding trough.
So this year, when you prepare for and celebrate Christmas, remember that God is not looking for, or even expecting, perfect. God has provided perfection in the gift of his son. All we need to do is bring an honest and joyful heart.
Recent
Archive
2024
January
Day Camp Registration OpenNext Inspired Life Speaker: Rev. Hannah Campbell GustafsonJanuary Wellness Focus: Financial WellnessBeautiful Souls Grief Support GroupCelebrate Black Composers Concert with Mill City String QuartetFinal Inspired Life: Building Mental Wellness Together SpeakerOrdinary Time at Camp HouseTwin Cities Plastic-Free ChallengeFebruary 2024 Newsletter
February
March
April
2023
January
March
March Wellness Focus: Spiritual WellnessDay Camp at All SaintsDonate for Easter FlowersWork in Progress: Redo, Rewrite, Restore - Kids Connection for MarchClara Schumann PiecesPB&J (Pizza, Beverage & Justice) NightMarch PlaydateIntergenerational Serving at Feed My Starving ChildrenInspired Life Series: Ann PierceBehold the Darkness - Good Friday CantataAll Saints Increasing Partnership with ICAJoin Our Dedicated VolunteersThe Road: Featured Guest Alison YoungHoly Week ServicesCommunity Garden - Kids Connection for April
April
April 2023 NewsletterJoin Us for Our Easter EggstravaganzaLearn About Mental Health Connect ResourcesApril Wellness Focus: Intellectual WellnessApril PlaydateInspired Life Series: Beth DooleyRev. Kelly Chatman on April 30Thank You from ICAIntergenerational Serving Event this SaturdayInspired Life Series: Erin SharkeyStaff NewsMen's Breakfast Group ResumesUrban Ventures Spring Clean-Up DayParents Night Out - MayMental Health Connect Stories of Hope Breakfast
May
May 2023 NewsletterWhat is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month?May Wellness Focus: Physical WellnessSaints on Bikes Are Rolling Again!Raise Your Game - Kids Connection for MayMay PlaydateWhy is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebrated in May?Help Host Counselors During Day CampRainflower Project#MoreThanEnoughInspired Life Series: Rudi HargesheimerHow does the ELCA support multicultural ministries including those for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans?Final Week to Register for Day CampJoin the All Saints Knitting, Quilting and Crafting GroupSign Up as a Coffee HostWho are Some Notable Asian and Pacific Islanders in the ELCA?Postal Food Drive ResultBike & Ice Cream – Doesn’t Get Better Than That!
1 Comment
Thanks, Aaron for this simple story and profound reminder of the unimportance of perfection during Advent and Christmas. Whenever I feel rushed or afflicted with perfectionism, I will remember this story and calm down.