Getting gifts, preparing food, going to parties, spending time with family...none of this is a bad way to celebrate Christmas. It can all be very good. However, let me encourage you with one thought as you wrestle with the long to-do list this season. Mary and Joseph were even less prepared than you are, and it made for the best Christmas ever.
They didn’t have any gifts to give their new baby. They probably didn’t get invited to many Christmas parties. They didn’t have any family who would welcome them in. They didn’t even have a proper bed for anyone in their family to sleep in. But it was the perfect night—because God showed up...in the form of an infant.
However the details of your Christmas season go, make sure you remember to invite Christ into your celebration. Of course, He’s always there, but do we acknowledge Him? Do we make sure He is in the spotlight, or does He get relegated to the corner of the room while we do our own thing? Are we intentional to pray and ask Him to show up in a special way as we celebrate?
Even if no one likes their presents, even if you burn Christmas dinner, even if all the grandkids are sick and give everyone a cold, Christmas can still be a time of hope, peace, joy, and love—if we make Christ not only a part of our celebration, but the center.