What Do You Want For Christmas?
“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
What do you want for Christmas? Most of us look forward to being asked this question every year, and we usually have a list of things ready. Sometimes it’s hard to answer, though. There are much deeper desires and needs that people hope to have addressed, and these aren’t things you usually put on a Christmas list. Someone with a life full of stresses and anxieties is hoping they might receive true peace of mind. People who are struggling with illnesses and injuries want healing. The brokenhearted also long for an end to their pain as well. Some brothers and sisters are struggling to find reasons to continue. They have little hope in the world. Despite the season proclaiming joy to the world, some people need to energize the soul. These are things that people genuinely want for Christmas.
As adults, we won’t put this in a letter to Santa. However, we have something better: prayer. God is ready to respond to our needs before we ask. God answered the best way ever, even though we don’t always understand. The things we really want for Christmas are all found in the gift of God to the world, Jesus.
The words of the angel’s declaration to the shepherds still speak to every heart across time and space: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
The angel appears to the shepherds, an outcast group. Shepherds didn’t have a lot of reasons to dream or hope. God offers a message of inspiration and a reason to believe believe. God has good news of great joy. What’s interesting is that in order to see the miracle for themselves, they will have to leave the familiar. The Messiah, the answer to all the questions, is here, but they will have to do something to receive the blessing. How about you? Will you do that? Will you leave the familiar, the obligatory, the easy to go and see how God has kept His promises?
It’s funny when we remember running downstairs as children to see what was under the tree. The shepherds ran to Bethlehem to see the gift God had given them. Yet, we often hesitate to move or change to experience the blessing Jesus brings to our lives. We have what we really want for Christmas. God has met every need and hope. Let’s go and see the gift we’ve received.
Pastor Scott
