Simplicity

If your tree is unfinished, your Christmas shopping incomplete, your house a mess and you haven’t even thought about your Christmas menu, you’re in good company. Simplicity seems like an option this year.

Actually, I have thought about decorating, shopping and meal planning. But, that’s the extent of it, only thoughts. I spent the first part of Advent beating myself up for not being able to execute the Christmas picture I store in my imagination. What Christmas looks like in our imaginations… There might be something to think about and unpack here.

Imagination Christmas

My imagination Christmas looks nothing like the first Christmas. Let’s be honest. There were no decorations, lights, trees or wreaths. No fancy meals to plan and no gifts to purchase. It was a stark, first Christmas – a trough, some cloths and a newborn baby.

No judgement in going all out for Christmas. If it brought you joy and filled your heart, it was good. And thank you for creating beauty. Beauty created is beauty enjoyed. Know that it is a gift to many, me included. I have almost driven off the road admiring the Christmas lights of nearby homes. Seriously.

Simplicity

However, if you have found yourself comparing, beating yourself up and stressing because your imagination Christmas doesn’t look like your neighbors, consider giving yourself permission to have a simple Christmas this year. Be kind to yourself. There is nothing wrong with simple. The first Christmas was quiet, uncomplicated and very, very simple.

I suspect our Heavenly Father knows a thing or two about the extraordinary impact of simple everyday events. There’s no coincidence that the greatest of gifts arrived in the birth of a baby. The simplicity of His presence was enough. 

Presence. Stillness. Being. Companionship. With the end of Advent quickly approaching, I am refocusing from imagination Christmas of expectations to simplicity of being in His presence. 

Merry Christmas