I’m Obviously Not Hallmark Material

Have you been watching the Hallmark Channel and all their “perfect” Christmas movies?  It’s hard not to laugh at the formula. It usually starts in a big city with all the glitz and glamour of a Macy’s Christmas window, then quickly moves to the country, where everything looks like a Thomas Kinkade, or perfect Norman Rockwell holiday painting. Girl is with the wrong guy, meets the right guy, dumps the wrong guy, and marries the right guy. And of course, it begins to snow as the movie ends. I like them too!  That’s life and Christmas wrapped up in pretty paper, with a bow that’s a little too neat. My life is a tad more messy.

My sister sent me a picture of her Christmas table, which takes hours to perfectly prepare. It’s not magic you know, but it is magically beautiful! For a laugh I sent her a picture of mine. It was covered in scraps of wrapping paper, gifts, an open jar of peanut butter, a box of crackers, and the floor around it was sprinkled with bits of red and green ribbon. I have a two-hour head start on her, but I’m positively sure she was dressed and had makeup on. I wasn’t even sure I had combed my hair, and as for makeup…perhaps two days ago? I am clearly not Hallmark material!

I am not without spirit though. My house is decorated in lighted trees, draped lights, snowmen, poinsettia, three nativity scenes, and an Advent wreath, all which is actually quite impressive if you knew how small my house is. I start early every year, thinking this will be the year where I roll into December with everything done. Nothing left to do but listen to Christmas music, drink hot chocolate, with extra whipped cream, and bake cookies. But then time slips into a black hole, rapidly accelerates, and a whirlwind of activity spins out of control, leaving me with less than a “Hallmark” looking Christmas table and crazy hair!

What I’ve learned is that if you want the ideal Christmas, don’t hang your expectations on the Hallmark channel. Life is messy. Rarely do things go as planned, and there is no such thing as perfect. Not everyone gets to be home for Christmas, and whenever you add family to the mix anything can happen. Expect it. All of it. Whatever it is. You know why Christ came into the world? Because it’s not a perfect world. Imperfection is the very premise of Christmas.

Embrace the imperfections of it as you dive across the floor like a baseball player sliding into home plate, depositing the last gift underneath the tree at the stroke of midnight. Laugh with family and friends that gather around your tree, cry for the ones that can’t be there, or are watching from heaven, and know that though everything may not be perfect, there is magic in the air…and there’s always next year. Merry Christmas!