A Merry, Messy Christmas
Wishing a “Merry, Messy Christmas” to all who celebrate! (Inspired by John Lennon’s “Happy Christmas”)
So this is Christmas,
and how did it go?
Another year juggling,
the highs and the lows.
But for this Christmas,
we tried to prepare,
to make it look perfect,
to prove we still care.
We hunted for presents,
wrapped sharp and just right,
imagined warm cocoa
and streets full of light.
A merry, messy Christmas,
and happy New Year,
let’s hope it’s a good one,
without any fear.
And so this is Christmas,
with lists left undone,
with bills piling higher,
and patience half-gone.
The gifts aren’t impressive,
the bows aren’t just right,
the tree’s trimmed by children,
as far as their height.
The cocoa burned tongues,
the lights leaned askew,
the yard wasn’t perfect,
the schedule fell through.
A merry, messy Christmas,
and happy New Year,
let’s hope it’s a good one,
without any fear.
And so this is Christmas,
for tired and worn,
for those running late,
for the anxious at dawn.
For rich and for poor ones,
for scraped-by and stressed,
for homes full of love,
not photoshop blessed.
And so this is Christ-With-Us,
Love still drawing near.
Not waiting for perfect,
not held back by fear.
God enters the mess,
the noise and the strain,
and calls it all holy,
again and again.
A merry, messy Christmas,
and happy New Year,
let’s hope it’s a good one,
without any fear.
And so this is Christ-With-Us,
Love still drawing near,
in laughter that spills,
in plans we let go,
in homes that feel small,
but stretch wide the heart,
where grace keeps on meeting us,
just as we all are.
So this is Christmas,
not polished or bright,
but shared ’round the table,
through the darkest of night.
Another year over,
a new one just begun,
and Love still arrives
before we’ve “got it all done.”
A merry, messy Christmas,
and happy New Year,
let’s hope it’s a good one,
without any fear.