Hey, stressed-out friends, I have news for you. Joy is not tied to perfection.

Consider this as you struggle to find that last gift, tie the perfect bow or assemble matching outfits for the kids: Christmas doesn’t need to be rendered perfect. Christmas is perfect because Jesus is perfect, and He is the founder and focus of the holiday.

This morning, I was getting into my car as a mom and her son approached a neighboring building. “Hey,” the little boy exclaimed, “We get to ride an elevator!” He was thrilled by something most of us take for granted. For him, it was a simple moment of joy. No effort required. How many of us have presented a small child with a gift only to watch her have more fun with the box?

Somehow, we have decided that Christmas and those who celebrate it are only joyful when everything looks like it came out of Southern Living Magazine. I struggle with this myself. I wrestled with it when I was supposed to be propping up my broken foot and not popping up to adjust an ornament or fuss about clean counters.

This contagion of holiday pressure also struck me while looking at photos of people’s decorated homes on Facebook. Seeing them made me feel behind, because I had barely started. It felt a bit like a competition.

OK, I can hear you saying, “I like the photos and the lights and decorations. They make me happy!” I do, too. I love seeing lights everywhere. My house adorned for Christmas brings me pleasure. But it should not be the source of my well-being. That’s the difference.

I ask people if they are “ready” for Christmas. “Oh, not even close.” It’s as if you must have all the trimmings to embrace the miracle of Jesus’ birth. All that needs to be ready is your heart.

So I have tried to let go of that magazine spread that lurks in my head and focus on why we celebrate Christmas.

It’s Jesus!

We celebrate the fact that He releases believers from the sin of this world. We don’t have to be ensnared and tangled up and stressed out and worried and fretful and competitive. Every so often, we still feel this way. But we don’t have to, because we have surety of who He is and who we are in relationship with Him.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Knowing that is joy. Resting in that is joy. Being content that this is enough brings joy.

So, my busy friends sit down and enjoy a cup of eggnog. Look at whatever you have assembled, even if it is a Charlie Brown tree and feel content.

One candle can light the world. It doesn’t need to be an expensive string of flashing icicles hanging off your roof.