The Privileged Life: Have Yourself a Merry Little “Out-of-Control” Christmas

“There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)

One of my favorite cartoon movie scenes is from “The Emperor’s New Groove”—with a quick interchange between stalwart Pacha and the whiny llama/emperor Kuzco, tied together as they float down a river. Here’s how it goes: 

• Pacha: Uh-oh.
• Kuzco: Don’t tell me. We’re about to go over a huge waterfall.
• Pacha: Yep.
• Kuzco: Sharp rocks at the bottom?
• Pacha: Most likely.
• Kuzco: Bring it on.^* 

Kuzco’s deadpanned “bring it on” is how I’ve often felt in the past about the onslaught of Christmas busyness…with no way to back-paddle to escape a crash landing.

My husband and I love to celebrate the season with family and friends, whether we have an abundance of treasures under the tree or not. We listen to carols as we decorate the house, eat cookies, and eagerly anticipate the happy messiness of Christmas Day.

I’ve typically had high expectations, set by memories of previous Christmases and our hopes for hosting a big gathering each year. It means “going over the top” to get everything ready, get all the shopping done, and get all our traditional goodies baked…almost as if there’s some invisible competition to make this the “best Christmas ever” compared to previous years.

But when a perfectionist attitude creeps into the preparations, it’s a joy-killer. There’s no pleasure in trying to control things or get everything right. First of all, it’s impossible to control people or circumstances. Second, it’s impossible to control people or circumstances. Third…well, you get it. 

Covid changed my attitude three years ago. My beloved and I were terribly ill, having trouble breathing, with our big family gathering canceled as we languished in bed. Yet it was the most beautiful Christmas Day I had ever seen. Our backyard was thickly blanketed with a foot of snow, rare in our temperate mountains. Through our windows, I watched neighboring sledders outside and wished I could join them.

This year, Covid has raised its slimy head again, afflicting some of our family members and threatening our plans. Poor health isn’t the only barrier to celebrating a “perfect Christmas.” Canceled flights, family disputes, backed-up traffic, broken water pipes, job layoffs, and more can wreck the Christmas spirit or, at the least, dampen our merriment. The loss of loved ones can crush us beyond all endeavors to have a joyful day.

Where did we get all these perfectionist expectations? Who said we absolutely have to celebrate Christmas on December 25? Why do we have to serve so much food? How did we go from singing a few carols around the tree to striving for online-video-worthy festivity or social media bragging rights?

And when did we have to buy so much stuff in order to have a merry Christmas?

What I’ve learned since 2020 is to hold all plans with loose fingers and low expectations. We can’t control Covid or any other sickness for that matter. We can’t control how others behave or what they’ll bring to the party. Holding a white-knuckled grip on our plans is based purely on fear. I suppose the fear is that we won’t have a merry Christmas unless everything falls perfectly into place.

Bah humbug to that attitude! Christmas is about Jesus. That’s it. Whether we have 20+ folks gathered in our home on December 25 or later, I’m hopeful to have a day of worship and praise to my King. I love spending time with our family, but I have to put Jesus first. An even better way to phrase it is that I will “get to” worship Jesus on His birthday.** It’s the only way to have a truly perfect Christmas.

Yes, it was disappointing and miserable to have a Covid Christmas in 2020. But all wasn’t lost. We had a quiet week working jigsaw puzzles, and when we felt better, went driving around to ooh and ahh over Christmas lights. We wound up with a family get-together a few weeks later in January, opening our presents with just as much enthusiasm, maybe more.

In the cartoon movie, Kuzco lets out a boisterous whoop even as they plummet over the edge. Likewise, let’s shout “Woo-hooo” to Jesus as we wake up on Christmas Day, regardless of our circumstances. Jesus Christ is our Joy-Giver—He alone is in control of everything, regardless of our best-laid plans.

I pray that your joy this year will be unrivaled as you worship Him in awe and wonder. So have yourself a merry little Christmas with Him—in a celebration that’s blessedly out of control!

Jesus, I ask to have a happy Christmas with You! Please fill me with Your peace, contentment, compassion, amusement, and pure joy to share with others from now through the whole season. Help me cast aside all expectations to focus on worshipping You in spirit and in truth. Make me a blessing to others, as a gift to them and to You. In Your holy name, Amen.

© Copyright 2023 Nancy C. Williams, Lightbourne Creative (text and photography)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #Christmasplans #emperorsnewgroove #bringiton #perfectChristmas #Christmasoutofcontrol #perfectionisttendencies #Christmas2023 #MerryChristmas #Jesusisthereason #tistheseason #Christmasdecor #Christmasbaking #Christmascountdown

*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhOrxkGlLDM

**See this encouraging blog from MamaLava at https://mamalava.wordpress.com/2023/12/19/who-needs-a-break/ so you’ll “get to” enjoy a merry Christmas spirit!