This will be my last Christmas Penn for a while. I promise. This year seems to be the year for public criticism of the family Christmas photos posted by public figures.

The president and first lady were criticized for looking too stern in their official portrait. And to be fair, all they were missing was a pitchfork and a farmhouse.

When the Biden family posted their family portrait, many were quick to point out that it looked like the former president was hiding behind the rest of the family.

And the criticisms weren’t confined to residents of the White House.

When Prince William and Kate Middleton sent out their family picture along with their Christmas greetings, people were quick to suggest that the photo had been photoshopped and edited.

Being critical isn’t a new thing, but what was once a thought, or perhaps part of a private conversation, has become a very public thing. And not a pleasant thing.

Christmas invites us to be different. That’s the promise of Christ.

The gifts of grace, peace and that Jesus brings not only can, but should transform the way we look at the world, and the way we react to it.

Have a great week and remember: to see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.