Lessons From A Hallmark Movie | Day 4 | A “Perfect” Christmas
Hallmark Channel is airing a commercial between Christmas movies this year that has caught my attention several times. Maybe you’ve seen it… Beloved actress, Candace Cameron Bure, is advertising the 10th anniversary of Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas. She is sitting amidst a beautifully and perfectly decorated Christmas scene as she encourages viewers to head over to Hallmark’s website to “find everything you need to help you create a Perfect Christmas.” She refers to recipes, decorating tips, and crafts to do with your family. I love that Hallmark promotes the importance of family, I think that’s an important reminder for us during this season. However, I don’t think that the perfect decor, the perfect food or even the perfect gifts will create a perfect Christmas. I think that the Hallmark definition of perfect differs from the Biblical definition of perfect. Let’s take a look.
“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18
These verses can sometimes be intimidating. We long to be perfect, but we see day after day how we fail. Good thing God’s definition of perfect is a little bit different that our 21st century understanding. Miriam Webster defines perfect as having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics; as good as it is possible to be. This lines up with how most of us understand the term perfection. According to Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible, the Greek word used for perfect in all three of these passages is teleios which means complete, full, lacking nothing. This definition is a little bit different. What is interesting about all three of these passages is that either right before or right after the word perfect, or teleios, is used we have a description of God’s love and an encouragement to implement it into our lives. Let’s read it together:
Jesus says, “I say to you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” (Mt. 5: 44-45) And then he continues to explain the kind of love He is referring to, “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not sinners even do this?” (Mt. 5: 46)
“Let love be genuine… Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another with honor.” Romans 12: 9-10
“No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us... So we have come to know and believe the love God has for us. God is love.” 1 John 4: 12; 18
These verses give us an idea of the perfection that God is referring to. Perfection is part of God’s nature. He is the only one who is truly perfect. 1 John 4 tell us that love is also part of God’s nature. It’s not just a quality he exhibits: God is not loving, God IS love. To be “perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt. 5:48) we must love the way that He loves. “If we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” (1 Jn. 4:12)
As we celebrate this season, let’s adopt a new definition of the “perfect Christmas.”
The true Christmas story was not perfect. There was no room in the Inn for Mary and Joseph. The halls weren’t decked with lights and ornaments, they were trimmed with farm equipment and animal feces. Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas decorations. But let’s not miss it, God’s definition of perfection is different than the world. Let’s be sure we are decorating with the intention to celebrate the birthday of our King instead of for the perfect shot of our Christmas tree to post on Instagram. This Christmas may we remember that the perfection God desires is not in our works but it is in our love.
Prayer: Father, help us to be perfect as you are perfect. Help us to love in the way that you taught us to love: not to just love those who love us, but to love all, even our enemies. This Christmas may we remember that the perfection you desire is not in our works but it is in our love. Make us more like you as we turn our attention to celebrate your birth.
