Advent Guide: You BelongSample

The Perfect Christmas

How are you doing? Seriously. How are you doing?

For many of us, the "most wonderful time of the year" is anything but that. A recent study indicated as much as 88% of people feel stressed around Christmas, and the last few days before the holiday can be the hardest.

There are places to be, last-minute gifts to buy and arrangements to be made. Family is coming over and things need to be perfect!

Except they don't.

That's the heart of the Christmas message: God sent his perfect Son to save imperfect humanity. He doesn't ask us to be perfect. He doesn't ask us to clean up our act before coming to him. We can't do anything to earn his grace, love, and salvation. He loves each one of us – you and me – just like we are.

Even if we don't make all the Christmas parties. Or get just the right gifts. Or the Christmas meal is just a little overdone.

Today, let the peace of the Lord wash over you. What you have to offer God is enough. You are enough. What you view as inadequate, he views as the avenue through which he can share his love for others.

I pray 2 Thessalonians 3:16 over you in this season.

Go about your day knowing God is with you, using even the most imperfect days to share his perfect love.

John Hall is the chief mission officer for Texans on Mission, which mobilizes volunteers to deliver help, hope, and healing in the name of Christ during people's most difficult days. Since 1967, the ministry has served millions after disasters of all kinds and given millions access to clean drinking water for the first time.