I love getting Christmas cards. The smiling faces and coordinating outfits, the perfectly selected backdrops. The yearly record of amazing travels, big blessings and small joys in abundance. It’s good to reflect on all that is right in the world, especially when so much seems so wrong. But yes, I know it can be depressing sometimes to get those wonderful Christmas letters, when maybe your own life isn’t quite so pretty. Or you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders for others who are hurting.
Is everyone’s life as picture perfect as they seem? Perhaps some are, but I’m quite certain that most are not.
We all have hurts, disappointments, frustrations, confusion and seemingly unanswered prayers. They just don’t look as pretty on the yearly Christmas card.
No one really wants to get a card that tells the whole truth like that in the mail, right?
Unless it is a holiday picture card like this, then I think we can all laugh. {Go ahead and click, it’s worth it}. Because we’ve been there. We relate.
This is the time of year where bloggers like me have parties to show their homes all dressed up in Christmas finery. Filters and careful cropping mask the imperfections. Perfectly decorated corners filled with handmade crafts and homemade treats, an abundance of holiday cheer and beautiful trees all a glow. It’s all good though, we need to find that corner of peace and beauty in a dark world.
I’m going to venture a guess, that behind the camera there is probably an “undecorated” and slightly-undone-less-than-festive scene just out of view of the lens.
Because, you know, that’s life. It unravels.
The good with the bad, the messy with the beautiful. Filtered light permeating dark shadows.
Both sides of the camera tell the true story of the life we lead. Tears mixed with joy. Messes behind the camera. Seeking beauty in front of us while wanting desperately to turn our backs and run away from the sadness and pain around us.
God knew. He knew. He had a plan.
He sent His Son, a perfect gift for us that we might find joy and everlasting life.
No more pain. No more sorrow.
Joy without tears. Life where there was death. Peace where there was pain. Light in the dark.
Merry Christmas, everyone. Praying God’s joy and peace for you all.
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thank you melissa….needed this encouragement and laugh! this christmas season has been completely unraveled from the beginning for our family and we’ll be celebrating with half unpacked boxes of decorations sitting right next to the tree and the rest of the house looking like we ran out the door half done with everything!
but this year there is a list of things life is pressing down onto our family and all the little bits and pieces seem so irrelevant. going to hold my munchkins tight and we’ll wing it. and there will be love and joy and jesus in the middle of the mess. xo –kris
That picture is so funny! My youngest doesn’t want to have anything to do with Santa, so this year we got a picture of my 4 year old holding her in a headlock on Santa’s lap.
Thank you for this, Melissa. Things in my home are a bit unraveled this year, full of death and sorrow…and it is comforting to be reminded that He sees it – all of it.
The photos are a hoot! One year I took two rolls of film (it was a while ago) of my then, three grandchildren. Out of 48 pictures I got one that was ‘card worthy’. I saved the bloopers and today there are some of my favorite photos … they make me smile when I think of the afternoon with Emma, Owen and Taylor.
Melissa, my heart needed your beautiful, life-giving words and encouragement today. Thank you. Merry Christmas!
Beautiful…powerful…true! Oh sometimes I feel so alone in my messiness. I needed this to remind me that I’m not alone. Lots of company…and of course, my wonderful God who loves me amidst the mess!
So funny and so down to earth! Thanks for your sweet words. Encourage.
So funny and down to earth. Thanks for your sweet words.
Superb reminder that we are NOT alone in our messes. Others can come along side us and encourage us!
Your words are beautiful. Merry Christmas! (Btw, I clicked–LOL:)
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I love getting Christmas cards. The smiling faces and coordinating outfits, the perfectly selected backdrops. The yearly record of amazing travels, big blessings and small joys in abundance. It’s good to reflect on all that is right in the world, especially when so much seems so wrong. But yes, I know it can be depressing sometimes to get those wonderful Christmas letters, when maybe your own life isn’t quite so pretty. Or you feel the weight of the world on your shoulders for others who are hurting.