SURVIVING CHRISTMAS: EXPECTATIONS VS. REALITY

We all have expectations at Christmas, don’t we? The season is filled with promises of…joy, peace, laughter, family, presents, harmony, food, and good cheer. All of our troubles will be “out of sight’ and “far away.”

True?

WHAT WE EXPECT CHRISTMAS TO LOOK LIKE VS. REALITY

In my own life and experience, there is often a huge gap between my EXPECTATIONS and my REALITY.

Take a look…

Here’s what I want my beautifully decorated Christmas cookies to look like:

• 

Here is the reality of baking with kids in the kitchen:

• 

When creating my Christmas wish list, this is what I would love to ask for:

• 

And here is what my practical side knows I need:

• 

WHAT CHRISTMAS EXPECTATIONS DO TO US

Do you know that more people get down, depressed, and discouraged at Christmas than any other time of the year?

Why? Because the gap between our EXPECTATION and our REALITY is DISAPPOINTMENT.

I have been there. You have been there. Do you know who else had expectations?

Mary. One of the central figures in the Christmas story.

MARY (THE MOTHER OF JESUS) & HER EXPECTATIONS

Talk about someone whose expectations and reality turned out to be worlds apart!  

• She was a young teenager from a small town.
• She was engaged but not yet married to man named Joseph. 
• She was in love but still a virgin.
• She was Jewish and waiting for the promised Messiah just like all of her people.  
• She expected him to come as a king who would rule and reign with authority and power and set her free.

She did not expect to play a role in all of this.

She did not expect to carry the Son of God in her womb.

She did not expect to deliver this Christ-child in a land far from home, alone, and in a dirty stable.

But that was her reality. God had different plans for Mary’s life…and she accepted them.  How?

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN EXPECTATION & REALITY

How did she bridge the gap between her EXPECTATION and her REALITY?

How did she give up her dreams of possibly losing the man she loved, her good reputation, a wedding with family and friends, and a simple, quiet life in her hometown?

Instead questioning God, lashing out, playing the martyr, or running away (all choices I have made!), Mary responds with these words:

…Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”  

Luke 1:38 (ESV)

HOW FAITH HELPS US BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN EXPECTATIONS & REALITY

She bridged the gap with FAITH.

• Faith in God’s promises.
• Faith in God’s truth.
• Faith in God’s love for her.
• Faith in God’s perfect plan for her life.

So, if you are struggling with your EXPECTATIONS vs. your REALITY this Christmas season, I encourage you to turn to JESUS.

Put your faith and trust in Him and let him replace your DISAPPOINTMENT with HOPE.