Christmas expectations

Once again, I am frustrated with the Christmas holiday. I'm never disappointed with God and the gift of love that we've been given. I'm disappointed in the way we celebrate.

Perhaps my expectations are out of whack. Maybe I've watched "It's a Wonderful Life" or "Miracle on 42nd Street" or any number of those movies a few too many times. Maybe I've got the Norman Rockwell pictures etched too firmly into my brain. Maybe I've glamorized my childhood Christmases.

We try to do too much. We cook too much food. We eat too much. We buy too many gifts. We get one more ornament and just add it to the collection. We don't go to as many holiday programs and gatherings as we used to, but we feel like we should. I guess that's the key word here - "should." So many of the things we do are things we feel we should do.

All of this leaves me tired, short-tempered and worn out...... and very disappointed. Disappointed because I know this is supposed to be a time of great joy. A time to gather with the family and friends we love. A time to hope for better tomorrows. A time to find glimpses of peace among all people. You know what the angel said to the shepherds, "Don't be afraid. For I bring you good tidings of great joy that will be for all the people." And later in the story, a whole group of angels show up and sing "Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace to all."

So why am I not singing with the angels? Why am I sitting here being a grump? Maybe it's because I've seen some peace, but I still see too much war. I've seen some love, but I still see too much hatred. Maybe I have some hope, but there are some situations that seem hopeless. I need more joy.

Or maybe I just need to go pick up those stray bows, eat that last bit of pie and wash the plate. Maybe I need to get the hoopla of the Christmas holiday put away and get on with spreading the joy of Christ Jesus in the world.

So, sing with me......
Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let earth receive her king!

This is a song I need to sing every day of the year.