There's something I've been pondering lately as we approach Christmas and celebrations with friends and family. For many, this is a stressful and anxious time because of those gatherings, and I think I understand why. Perhaps it's because of our expectations.
A few years ago, some friends told me about their Christmas spent with in-laws. It was a looooong day that went well into the wee hours of the morning. No big deal for most on Christmas day, except this couple had to get up early the next morning to travel to the home of the other set of parents. The in-laws got what they wanted but their married kids paid for it.
Okay. I know I may have just hit a vein for some, but that one real life scenario has stuck with me. When making plans with others I can't always please everyone, and that's not ever my plan, but I do try to consider them when I'm the one doing the organizing. My expectations are simple. I expect everyone to have a good time because I've considered what would bless this one, or how that one takes her coffee, or what favorite treats this one likes.
We all go into situations with expectations and holiday gatherings are full of them. What are you anticipating when people come into your home? What if they've had a bad day, been chewed out by their boss, had kids squabbling on the drive over, or been fighting off sickness over the last few days? How will you respond if they're not as chipper and as eager to be with you as you'd hoped?
Or what about this...
It's Sunday morning, you're in the worship service and you're anxiously waiting for the Worship leader to start playing your favorite Christmas song. You thought you heard the chords right and got all excited, but it's not your song! On top of that, the pastor preaches on tithing or something else you weren't really prepared to hear at Christmas, instead of the feel good message you were expecting to send you home on a happy note. How do you respond when your expectations go unmet?
Granted, these are petty scenarios, but they do happen. I'm a church secretary. I've heard it all! Plus, I've had my share of great expectations gone unmet, and I've seen it happen to others as well. We've all been there. We wanted so desperately for things to go a certain way, but when they didn't it put us a bit out of sorts.
Maybe this year we do things a little differently. Maybe we simply take our friends, and our guests and our family just as they are, with whatever they have to offer. Maybe this Christmas we choose to center on the joys in every day - those simple things that bring us pleasure like sipping hot drinks when it's actually cold enough outside to enjoy them, or perhaps the beauty and warmth of a fire, or one of my favorites - a baby's laugh.
Maybe this Christmas we choose to lay aside our best laid plans for the sake and comfort of others, allowing them the same grace and slower pace we ourselves would like to enjoy. Then maybe, just maybe, our expectations might not hinder or disappoint us and we can truly enjoy the beauty of Christmas. That's what I'm praying for you.
