For many years, like many other Christians, I lament that Christmas is too big, too much, too out of control. I preached that we forgot what the season is about.

However, this year I felt something different. I think we need Christmas to be big and out of control. We need it to be filled with exaggerated celebrations. We need big parties and big gifts. We need things to be overdone because things seem so out of hand these days.

I foolishly thought the pandemic would be over by now and we would be back to what we normally do. But the truth is, this year is even more difficult to decide what is the right thing to do.

Last year there was no doubt that we would not be having Christmas Eve worship in person, in our building. There was no doubt that I would not be able to see my family. There was no doubt that we would not go or have Christmas parties. This year we have to fight for all of these decisions.

We need to balance the health and safety of ourselves, those we love, and our neighbors. We have to balance all of this with our need to be together, to celebrate, to rejoice.

I so want to go too far this year with lavish parties and gatherings. I so want Christmas to be great. This was not possible this year. So instead, I’m counting on something more – a miracle.

This is also Christmas. The miracle of God’s love for us, of our love for one another, and of peace on earth. I’m waiting for this Christmas for something big to come from our little celebrations.

Maybe this Christmas people will be a little nicer to each other. Perhaps our politics will become less confrontational. Maybe we’ll take care of those sleeping in shelters or in their cars. Maybe love will be born in everyone’s heart and we will understand each other better.

Perhaps we will no longer study war. Maybe people of different religious beliefs will respect the other’s faith. Perhaps we will do the job of dismantling systematic racism in our institutions.

I realize these are great things to ask for, but like I said, I’m looking forward to a big, out of control Christmas. I defend peace on earth and good will for all. I’m waiting for a miracle. I also wish it on all of you.

(Reverend Jonathan Hopkins lives in Concord.)