Because Sometimes Things Don't Go According To Plan

 

The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men,
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!

 

(Robert Burns, from "To A Mouse")

 

 

Robert Burns was right. The best laid schemes (plans) of mice and men do gang aft agley (go oft awry).  Life doesn't always follow the script we have written in our minds.

 

Such has been the case for almost 2 years now. Cancelled vacation plans. Missed opportunities to visit with family and friends. Changes in the way we do almost everything. Most recently, our Thanksgiving plans were altered, this time not due to the impact of a virus, but because a family member was in an automobile accident. Today, I had planned to be on a river cruise in Europe; instead, I'll be having an MRI here in Spartanburg this afternoon. Our best laid plans often go awry.

It's frustrating when things don't happen the way we had planned them. When circumstances force us to make changes. When we can't do what we want to do. And it's especially true at Christmastime. When we have to give up travel plans. Or give up cookie baking and decorating. When our cherished traditions have to be set aside.

But if your decorations are minimal....and mine are;

And if your gifts are not all bought....and mine aren't;

And if you haven't done much (or any) of your usual Christmas baking....and I haven't;

It will still be Christmas.

Because none of those things are Christmas. They are traditions.

Christmas is Jesus.

We make our plans. And our plans often change. But God's plan has not changed. God's plan for Christmas is still the same. 

"For He (God) rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins....For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross." (Colossians 1:13-14, 19-20 NASB)

When things don't go according to our plan, we would do well to take a moment to refocus on God's plan.

Because His plan doesn't change.

"We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the World."

(1 John 4:14 NASB)