Monday 24 December 2012

Snow-pocalypse


My families christmas celebrations this year should be called "Snow-pocoalypse". Over the course of the last month we have gone from having 4 cars that live in Alberta to having one. And that one is stuck 2 hours away from where we are having christmas, because of crazy snow. So essentially we have no cars. 3 different families and no car. And another family flying in. It has been called a perfect storm.

And yet, we still all feel some strange magnetic drive to be together on Christmas. Even when it means traveling by planes, trains and.... buses.

And I think that is the magic of Christmas. We travel through imperfect situations and take on extra work so that we can enjoy time together. Much like riding a donkey's back at 9 months pregnant and then giving birth in a stable. Imperfect. Even a little distressing.

But you know, it wasn't as if Jesus was born and a great light shone forth and he was perfect and instantly 31. He was a normal baby. Sleepless nights, getting lost in crowds of people. A regular boy. Probably he was a trial for his mother sometimes. He probably got sick, or hurt himself or misbehaved and caused her a bit of distress. He didn't become "Jesus" instantly and magically.

And I think sometimes we need to approach Christmas this way. This isn't about lists and baking and decorating. This is about preparing our hearts and our minds for what Christmas is about.

We need to remember that wonderful memories and beautiful celebrations are generally found in small moments of kindness and grace. It is in actually working to create peace in our attitudes and cultivating a sense of joy be delighting in others.