This isn’t how it was supposed to be. One could hardly blame Mary if this thought welled up as she contemplated her life as a new mother. This couldn’t have been how she had hoped to welcome her firstborn. How often in her life as a mother to God’s Son would she be forced to adjust her expectations and come to grips with a very different reality?

This isn’t how it was supposed to be. Such a thought has likely pervaded your heart and mind when visions of a perfect Christmas have failed to materialize. Family strife, illness, a meager bank account, or an empty spot around the table darkens what was “supposed” to be a bright and joy-filled holiday.

This isn’t how it was supposed to be. Who more than Jesus himself would have reason to make such an assertion? He left behind his rightful place of perfect glory to make the unfathomable descent into human existence. But knowing this was God’s supposed-to-be plan of salvation, Jesus sacrificed all without hesitation to carry out his Father’s will and save mankind.

“Set[ting our] minds . . . on earthly things” as we plan our ideal Christmas celebration will almost certainly leave us feeling hollow and disappointed. The Christmas message, however, transforms our perspective. As we “set [our] minds on things above,” we recognize that our joy and fulfillment are not dependent on the changeable circumstances of the day.

This perspective directs our gaze past any earthly disillusionments to focus instead on the rag-swaddled miracle in the manger. With Mary, we stare in awe at her newborn, praising God that all the preparations for a perfect Christmas were taken care of long ago.