Have Yourself a Messy Little Christmas.

Christmas isn’t always picture-perfect. Sure, the movies, the magazines, and the Instagram feeds show perfectly wrapped gifts, cozy family moments, and sparkling decorations. But let’s be real for a minute—sometimes Christmas looks more like crumpled paper-wrapped presents under the tree, a mountain of dishes in the sink, and a to-do list that feels longer than the Christmas lights you’re untangling. And you know what? That’s perfectly okay.

My Christmases were never perfect. And after years of trying to make them so, I stopped. No matching pajama sets, no hours spent cooking in the kitchen, no running around trying to fit in all the family visits in one day. It was exhausting. My anxiety went through the roof. I dreaded too much socializing, the constant dishes, and my Martha-like ways of moving, moving, moving to make sure everything was just right. But by the time Christmas Day was over, I honestly had no time left to reflect on the true meaning of it all—the birth of Jesus and the miracle of His arrival into our world. I had been too caught up in making everything perfect.

So, one year, I decided to slow down. I decided to let Christmas be what it was—imperfect, messy, and full of real moments. The joy of the season isn’t in the flawless details, but in the messy, beautiful, unexpected moments that show us the heart of it all. And in those moments, I found something even more beautiful than perfection: peace.

The first Christmas wasn’t picture-perfect either. It was a messy, raw, and beautiful beginning. A young girl gave birth in a stable, surrounded by hay and animals, with no grand fanfare—certainly not how Mary imagined bringing the Savior of the world into the world. The first to hear of His arrival weren’t kings or dignitaries but ordinary shepherds—scruffy, probably a little smelly, and definitely not expecting to be the first to see the Messiah. But in the middle of that chaos, God showed up.

And that’s the beauty of Christmas—it’s not about making everything perfect. It’s about God stepping into the mess, meeting us where we are, in the middle of our imperfect lives. He didn’t come to a pristine world. He came to a messy, broken one, just like ours.

Christmas is a day of remembrance for a Savior who was born in the midst of mess. He was born for moments like this—moments of laughter, connection, and yes, even the mess. Jesus came for our real, unpolished lives. Christmas isn’t about how pretty the decorations are, how well we’ve planned, or how perfectly we’ve timed everything. It’s about celebrating the greatest gift of all—Jesus. His life, His love, His presence with us in the middle of it all.

Beautiful one, you don’t need to apologize or feel like you’re falling short for not keeping up with the Joneses. Christmas was never meant to be about the show anyway. It was always about the One who showed up.

This year, I’m embracing the imperfections. I’m letting go of the need for everything to be perfect. There’s no need to strive for the ideal when the true miracle of Christmas has already arrived. The beauty of Christmas isn’t in flawless moments; it’s in the love we share with one another, the grace we give, and the peace we find in simply being present.

So, if your Christmas feels less like a “sparkling snow globe” and more like a “disheveled whirlwind,” take heart. That’s where the beauty is—right in the middle of the mess. It’s in the laughter through the chaos, the quiet moments of reflection, and the joy of knowing that Jesus came for us just as we are.

This year, let’s slow down. Let’s embrace the mess and the imperfect, and welcome the Savior into our real, unpolished lives. The mess is often where the miracle happens.

Have yourself a messy little Christmas, my friend. Because sometimes, the mess is where the miracle truly shines.

“For 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

Love Sarah x

Thank you for showing up and journeying with me through this season. I’m so glad we’re walking together in this beautiful, messy life. Get ready for even more in the new year—I’m excited for all that’s to come. If you’d like to consider becoming a part of the Little Sparrow Loved crew by upgrading, you can, but it’s totally optional. I just want you to know how grateful I am for your support and presence. Here’s to embracing all the beautiful messiness of life, together!