Every year we long for the perfect holiday season: Why can’t everyone be in town for Christmas? Why can’t the family get along? Why do the kids fight when we drive around to look at Christmas lights? Why are some gifts broken before you open them?

But the truth is: The first Christmas wasn’t picture perfect either. Stinky shepherds, no room in the inn for a pregnant family, and even infanticide initiated the holy day that we expect to “run seamlessly.” That’s exactly why baby Jesus IS hope. The world is very imperfect…but God is with us.