Christmas is Messy

Dear Lord; Happy Thursday Father!

“Christmas is messy… Humanity is messy… Family life is messy…  And we get in trouble when we work so hard to make it all perfect.”

As I listened to a recording of Father Jim Clifton delivering a message on Advent yesterday evening, these simple statements found a nerve…

And I realized what a powerful, misunderstood truth it really is Lord.

In this season of Advent we try to focus on hopeful waiting; anxiously preparing to celebrate that moment of perfection so many years ago.  And in that effort, quite often we attempt to put aside, or push down those portions of our lives that remind us of our “messiness”.  “But it’s Christmas…” we tell ourselves… “We need to approach that stable with thankfulness and joy, not with turmoil and pain in our hearts.”

And yet Lord, our need and our brokenness is why You came to us that night…

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (NLT)

You came because you love us Lord;

In our brokenness,

In the midst of our hurt,

And in our frailty.

So Father, as I approach Christmas this year; as I make my intentional journey to kneel at the side of that Holy manger, I bring all of myself to You:

My turmoil,

My struggles,

And my pain…

As well as

My gratefulness,

My wonder,

And my joy.

Help me to embrace the fullness of this season Lord; to make my pilgrimage with an open heart, knowing that You’ve come to receive me…

In all of my messiness.

Amen.

~Phather Phil