I have been blessed to lead two St. Luke’s trips to the Holy Land. My favorite places to visit are the Sea of Galilee and surrounding areas. They are not only more rural settings, but they are less crowded and quieter. When you visit holy sites in Jerusalem, there are more people and I find it a bit more difficult to have a reflective moment amidst the noise and busyness. But, the noise, people, and busyness were all part of life during the time of Christ.
Whenever we imagine the “perfect Christmas,” we sometimes think of a quiet scene where everything in the house is perfectly in place, perfectly decorated, and perfectly serene. But is that really the goal of Christmas, let alone realistic?
We look at a Nativity scene and think it is the perfect example of a tranquil Christmas setting. The reality is that the first Christmas was every bit as noisy and chaotic as the ones we experience today. Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem to register for the governmental census. People from all over were gathering in the small town to take part. Crying babies, dogs barking, and families who hadn’t seen each other in some time celebrating during reunions. Mary and Joseph found that the inn was full and they were given a stable space. It wouldn’t be perfectly clean or serene. The animals would have shared their displeasure having to share their stable with strangers. And certainly, the newborn Jesus would have voiced His own displeasure from time to time. But Mary and Joseph had never been looking to have a perfect getaway; they were focused on the birth of their child.
As we get closer to Christmas, it is helpful to remember the point of the holiday. Our goal is to celebrate the birth of Jesus and be with loved ones. Don’t let a false image of perfection and serenity get in the way of a memorable Christmas. Focus on what matters – loving God and loving all!
Rev. Wendy Lambert, Senior Executive Pastor
