My Christmas Wish List

My Christmas Wish List

Christmas, 2013

Jingle Bells is playing at the mall and Santa’s chair is ready.  Soon the lights will line the streets and Amazon will send out thousands of boxes with a smile.  We ask all our loved ones for their Christmas Wish List.  The children, full of hope, write them down one by one.  Most of our favorite stores would go out of business if it wasn’t for that black day.

I know I should be thinking this is the most wonderful time of the year, but all I can feel is the dread of credit card bills.

What have we done?

This day to remember our King come in the flesh.  It has been degraded to serve our own flesh.  This day the angels sang, Gloria, is now a day to review what needs to be returned for something more fitting.

Before you label me as a “Bah Humbug”, let me tell you that deep down inside, I love this day!  I want to create traditions and wonderful memories with my children.  My cart is full of the things on everyone’s list!  I want to see the pleasing smiles and be given that thankful hug.  I want to see them happy and I want to feel appreciated.  I just wonder how something about God and His gift to us has become all about what I want.

Sin.  That dreadful word.  That subject that is rarely taught about anymore.  It has to be the reason.

We are sinners from birth.  Our nature is self-centered and rejects God.  We always crave more, but more of what?  We actually believe these “things” will fill the void!  Yet, all the while, serving our self is the very thing that brings death.

Jesus.  Oh, how I need Him!  He is the only one that can forgive my sins and fill this void. 

Through his birth, death, and resurrection, we can trade that selfish heart of stone with a heart of flesh.  His love for us is greater than anything we can create or buy or put on our wish list.  It is given freely to all who will believe.  Now that’s what we should be celebrating! 

Who really remembers the gifts they received in years past anyway?  Did it bring the joy you had hoped for?  None of the presents under your tree will fill the void in your heart, but the gift that Jesus gave you, will.

As we head into this Christmas season, I hope we will remember these truths and place our focus on the ONE true gift that we all desperately need. JESUS. 

He is all I need.  He is all I want.  In case you were planning to ask, there is nothing more on my wish list.