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All I Want for Christmas – Christmas Wishes – 12/13/20

Experiencing the wonder of Christmas through the eyes of a child is something I wish I could have captured and kept. A young child is enthralled with the lights, the wrapping paper, the bows, the boxes, the spirit of the celebration, and you see their joy. The gifts aren’t something they’ve thought of, they’ve made no list, and whatever they receive will probably pale in comparison to some delightfully empty box! As we get older we make wish lists and see many things we’d like to have. We ask our children and grandchildren to provide us with a list of their wants. We probably recall some of the things we just had to have when we were children—a barbie, a train set, incredible edibles, GI Joe, an easy bake oven! The thrill is immediate, but it doesn’t usually last long. Christmas is a time when Americans spend far too much time, energy and money on preparations, gifts and obligations. Where is the joy? “What do you want for Christmas?” may not be the best question to ask, but rather, “What do you bring this Christmas?” 

Scriptures

Mt 2:10-11; Lk 2:10-12, 15-16

Verse

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Mt 2:11) So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. (Lk 2:16)

Thought

The Christmas story tells us of two groups who visited the new-born King. The magi, wisemen as we call them, were astronomers who had studied the stars and constellations for years. When they noticed a new star in the heavens they were compelled to follow it and find its meaning. Their journey likely took a couple of years as they were from the Far East. Upon arriving in Bethlehem, they bowed and worshiped the child who was to be the savior of all humankind. They also presented gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Gifts that were intentional and significant in the life of Jesus—gold was valuable, a king’s currency, frankincense was burned by the high priest in the temple as an offering to God for the people. It represented the day when Jesus would become our high priest by giving his life on the cross. Myrrh was a perfume used to help cover the stench of a dead body. It was commonly used by both rich and poor to honor someone who had died. Jesus came to die. He came for the rich and for the poor, and for everyone in between. These gifts were thoughtful and appropriate, not just something grabbed in haste so they wouldn’t arrive empty-handed. The other group who visited Jesus was the shepherds who had been told of his birth by an angel. They raced to the manger to see what had taken place. They had no gifts to bring, they were poor and lowly men who had nothing but themselves to offer, and that is indeed everything! They worshiped the King and then went and told everyone the incredible news of Jesus Christ! What do you bring this Christmas?

Questions

Is Christmas a joyful time for you? If so, explain. If not, explain. Has your enthusiasm for Christmas changed through the years? If so, in what way? What is your favorite thing about Christmas? What was your most memorable Christmas and why? Do you enjoy choosing just the right gift for those on your list or do you want quick and easy? What do you want for Christmas? What do you hope to bring to Christmas this year?

Response 

Take a break from TV and social media. Read the Christmas story and allow God to speak to your heart. Lighten your Christmas agenda and allow your heart to once again capture the joy and hope found in the miracle of Christmas. Consider what you can bring to those around you and how you can share the joy, hope, and peace of Christ.

Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father, I want to experience the joy and the hope that Jesus brought to the world that first Christmas. As we celebrate Christ’s birth allow my heart to focus on you and on what I can share with those around me. Shine in and through me, I pray, in Jesus Name.

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