Hello Dear Friend,
Every year, as December rolls around, I feel the familiar tug to make Christmas magical—the perfect tree, the perfect gifts, the perfect home filled with twinkling lights and holiday cheer. Especially when my kids were little, I felt this pressure to create a picture-perfect Christmas, as if it were my job to wrap up joy and wonder and place it under the tree.
But the truth? Christmas has never been about perfection. And over the years, I’ve learned to let go of chasing a magazine-worthy holiday and embrace something much more meaningful.
One of my favorite traditions is the day we go out to cut down our Christmas tree. Let me tell you, it’s rarely as dreamy as it sounds. Someone always ends up a little cold or muddy, the tree is never quite as symmetrical as I pictured, and there’s usually a moment of why did we think this was a good idea? But you know what? It’s ours. It’s messy and real, and it’s one of those traditions that my kids still look forward to, even now that they’re older.
I think about Luke 2:10-11, when the angel said to the shepherds: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” There was no glitz or glamour surrounding Jesus’ birth—just the humble simplicity of God’s love entering our world. That’s the heart of Christmas.
This year, I’m reminding myself to focus less on the perfect and more on the meaningful. I want to soak up the moments of laughter and love, even if the cookies burn or the wrapping paper is lopsided. I want to cherish the traditions we’ve built together as a family, knowing they’re not about impressing anyone but about creating memories that last.
If you’re feeling the weight of trying to make everything just right this season, I want to encourage you to pause. Slow down. Let go of the need for perfection and lean into the love and joy that Christmas is really about. Your kids won’t remember whether the house was spotless or the gifts were wrapped like works of art. They’ll remember the moments you spent together, the warmth of your presence, and the way you made them feel loved.
Christmas is about celebrating the greatest gift we’ve ever been given: Jesus. And when we center our hearts on that, the rest starts to fall into place.
Wishing you a Christmas full of love, grace, and imperfectly beautiful moments,
Kimberly