Greetings, friends, Christmas doesn’t always go as planned. From busted pipes and cold showers to family-wide stomach bugs, holiday disruptions can steal our peace—unless we remember the true, unshakeable Gift at the heart of it all.

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I have so many memories of “failed” Christmases.

Plumbing

First was the Christmas Eve when I washed pots and pans in my bathtub and rinsed them with the shower because the kitchen sink drain was clogged, and no plumber on earth made calls on Christmas Eve.

Then there was the Christmas Eve when we had out of town family visiting but no hot water for showers or laundry because the hot water heater had died. 

And the Christmas Eve when the temperature dipped down to a nine-degree, too-cold-for-South-Carolina-pipes low and froze two of our outside spigots. We had to shut the water off to the entire house while David ran to Lowe’s, which, thankfully, didn’t close until 6 p.m. 

Lying on the frozen ground, he made the repair, but the single-digit temperatures wouldn’t allow the pipe glue to set up. He stood there with my hair dryer pointed at the pipes until finally, it held—just in time for David to change clothes, jump in the car, and head to church to preside over our church’s Christmas Eve service.

The devil has often used plumbing to disrupt our Christmas celebrations. I can’t cite a chapter or verse, but I know it’s a tool in his arsenal.

Germ Warfare

Sometimes, though, he uses germ warfare. 

Like the Christmas when 12 members of our family, including our newly-returned-from-deployment-in-Japan son-in-law and daughter, shared a stomach virus. One by one we succumbed, finally knocking out my son-in-law on his birthday and my daughter on Christmas Eve. Instead of sparkling cider and beef brisket, we raised glasses of ginger ale and nibbled on saltine crackers.

The First Christmas

We shouldn’t be surprised, really, when our holiday plans take a detour. Consider that first Christmas.

A government census sent Joseph and his pregnant wife, Mary, far from home.

A No Vacancy sign in every window but one landed them in less-than 5-star accommodations.

Sudden labor left Mary bringing her firstborn Son into the world without the comforts of home and family.

And the feeding trough she laid Him in? It bore little resemblance to the beautiful wooden cradle her husband Joseph had lovingly crafted for their son.

A blinding spotlight pierced the darkness and disturbed the post-labor sleep she so desperately needed.

And then unexpected guests—stinky, smelly shepherds appearing at their door with wild tales of angels and heavenly declarations.

And yet . . .

To us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

This Christmas

I don’t know what this Christmas will bring, but I’ve determined, feast or famine, sickness or health, plumbing or pails, I will rejoice in God’s most precious Gift of the season. 

Christ the Savior is born!

Now it’s your turn. Leave me a comment and share your crazy Christmas disasters. How did God show up for you in the midst?

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If you’d like to give a gift that could impact your loved one, friend, or co-worker long after the tree comes down, please check out the post, “Would you Like to Give Life-Changing, Soul-strengthening Gifts This Year?”, where I share some of my favorite Christian devotionals, including a few of my works with Our Daily Bread Publishing.

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I’ll be taking a break from blogging for the next few weeks to focus on celebrating Jesus with friends and family. I look forward to reconnecting on December 28 as I share my best tips for starting the new year with Jesus. Have a wonderful and Christ-centered holiday season!

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