As I sit here today, December 27th, reflecting upon all that Christmas 2022 had to offer, I am resting in the fact that despite the challenges that were brought about through frigid temperatures and icy roads, Christmas still happened. Pastor Will has dubbed this Christmas the “Imperfect Christmas”—many plans were changed or cancelled. But I can’t help but think about how that first Christmas was in all ways imperfect. Joseph and Mary certainly didn’t expect the challenges that were presented to them right as their child was to enter the world and yet, in their imperfect circumstances, Jesus was born and through his birth God came to dwell among us.

So here we are again, Christ has been born and no matter how many times we tell this story of Christmas, it never gets old. We don’t need to change it, there is no need for novelty, we can rest in a story whose details we know very well. And because there are no surprises waiting for us around the corner with this story, we get to rest in knowing that Christ’s birth will come no matter what. No matter how busy we are with Christmas parties, plays, and concerts, no matter how overwhelmed we get with family dinners, gifts, and decorating; God has come to dwell among us in the ordinary package of a newborn baby.

As frigid temperatures kept many of us home this Christmas, it was a reminder of making room for Jesus in our lives. I can’t help but stop and think about the meaningful service our children and youth led with our Walk to the Manger service on December 18th.  It was a simple production, there were no lines to be memorized, fancy costumes to be made, or mandatory rehearsals to attend, but yet even the youngest were able to don the garb of those who came before us to share the beautiful story of Christmas with us all.

We have spent the last four weeks preparing for the coming of the Christ child, and now we sit in this season of Christmas for twelve days. The hustle and bustle of Christmas is over, and now we get rest in the fact that God’s love has been given to us, wrapped in the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ on a very imperfect night, in very imperfect circumstances. The imperfect was in fact perfect and in that we find our hope.

-Tracey