The Perfect Gift

Decorating the Christmas tree has been a family event at our house for as long as I can remember. Our two kids, who are now adults, helped Annette and I every year…whether they preferred to or not. Fortunately for us, we have two excited grandchildren to carry on the tradition, along with a younger one who will soon join in on the fun!

Our tree is usually a task in and of itself. It’s one of those you have to assemble each branch along with stringing the lights. For several years we would say…”this takes too long! Let’s get a new assembled, pre-lit tree. You know it would be much quicker.” Those years of saying that have passed.

We’ve come to realize no matter how much work goes into setting up that tree, we are never disappointed with the fullness it brings to our home. It’s become a part of us each year. The only negative issue is that the kiddos become a bit restless. Having to wait to do one of your favorite activities might make you a bit fidgety as well.

This year we used a step ladder so they could reach more limbs than before, trying to allow the kids to do as much of the tree as possible. Who can guess what typically takes place when you have youngsters placing ornaments on a tree? If you answered…you get all of the decorations placed in one area, then you are right!

Yeah, without supervision, the tree would look quite messy, since it’s purpose is typically to look beautiful and elegant. So as the grandkids are placing their ornaments, I gradually move one or two, trying not to be noticed. Oops….I got caught! A precious three year old with a sweet but authoritative voice quickly tells me… “that’s not where that goes Papa”, as she places it back in it’s original location.

Annette and I are amused and laugh with joy by her remark, but then something else happened.

We paused and wondered.

As I gazed at the little hands with big hearts placing the ornaments in their proper place, it hit me.

These ornaments are perfect where they are. For where they are brings a bigger smile to our faces then if I where to move them elsewhere.

…where they are brings a bigger smile to our faces..

We often try so hard to make our trees look perfect….ornaments and lights properly balanced. The truth is, none of our decorations are ever perfect. There’s a flaw somewhere…some just might take longer to find.

You know our lives are a lot like that too. We often try so hard to make everything fall into place as perfectly as possible. Some call it being a perfectionist. Yet, no matter how much effort we might put into it, we will never be perfect in this world. We live in an imperfect world and you and I are a part of it.

Thankfully there is One who came and accepts us as we are. Jesus loves me this I know…just as I am.

“When the extraordinary compassion of God our Savior and His overpowering love suddenly appeared in person, as the brightness of a dawning day, He came to save us. Not because of any virtuous deed that we have done but only because of His extravagant mercy.”
‭‭Titus‬ ‭3:4-5

“This is love: He loved us long before we loved Him. It was His love, not ours. He proved it by sending His Son to be the pleasing sacrificial offering to take away our sins.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭

When we finally accept the fact that we are not required to be perfect, we rest in knowing that our little imperfections are perfectly fine. Our perfectly fine imperfections bring a bigger smile to Jesus’ face than us working frantically to try and correct them.

Our little imperfections are perfectly fine.

So we’ve left some of the ornaments that are snuggled up against one another, realizing they are perfectly fine where they are.

Our smiles are broader with the memory.

Photos by Create228studio