THE SET UP: One of my favorite Christmas movies is Christmas with the Kranks, starring Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis. The movie is based on a book by John Grisham, and in the story, Luther Krank talks his wife, Nora, into, “skipping Christmas,” by using all the money they usually spent on Christmas to take a swanky cruise. Their daughter, Blair, is gone for the holidays and they decide to do something for themselves. So, they diet, they tan, they plan, and they pack for their cruise. Then the plot twists. At the last minute, Blair announces she’s coming home for Christmas and all of the cruise plans go out the window. Now the scramble is on to throw together a Christmas full of family and friends and never let their daughter she ruined their plans.
When all this happens, Nora gets excited, but Luther gets mad. He’s been planning and looking forward to this trip. He’s been saving money by not buying gifts and Christmas trees. And now his plans are out the window. He is reluctantly dragged into the last-minute, emergency Christmas planning. His cruise is gone and his Christmas is ruined.
But, then Blair comes home, and seeing her makes it a little better. All of the Kranks’ friends and neighbors pitch in and help them pull off a Christmas miracle. Luther experiences a change of perspective. He realizes how fortunate he is to have all of these people in his life, and his anger and frustration are replaced by appreciation and joy. He had been focused on how happy a cruise would make him, but when he lost that opportunity, he stumbled into true joy.
When you read the Christmas story, there are a lot of trade-offs like Luther’s. Mary’s whole life plan was changed in one conversation with an angel. Joseph thought his dream marriage was over before it started. The stable made a less-than-ideal birthing center. But ultimately Mary, Joseph, and so many others experienced joy at the birth of Christ.
PASSAGES TO READ: Psalm 30:4-5
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
Have you ever been disappointed to have your plans ruined or changed, only to be pleasantly surprised by joy?
In today’s passage, we read, “Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” What does that passage mean to you?
Is there someone that God has brought to your mind that could use joy this Christmas? Take a moment and pray for them.
PRAYER IDEA: “Jesus, I pray that my family and friends would experience true joy this Christmas season. Help them (and me) to focus on you as the source of true joy, hope, and peace. May circumstances not rob them of joy. In your name, amen.”