Did you know that God has a Christmas wishlist, too? This time of year, when we get all caught up in what we want for Christmas and what we need to get for others to fulfill their wants, too, we can forget that the season is all about God.
The Bible is filled with words that suggest His “will” (meaning “desire,” “want,” “wish”) and how that intersects our lives.
It all starts with identity…God wants us to “find ourselves” in Christ. His core concern for each of us is our Salvation. He desires human beings to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, to enter into a live-changing relationship with Him. After all, that’s what the Incarnation is all about–God with us. He has created us to find fulfillment in Him. “What can wash away my sin; nothing but the blood of Jesus.”
It continues with character development. He wants us to be Sanctified; he wants us to live holy lives. Our lives are to be different from the rest of the world. They are to be “set apart,” holy as God is holy. While God may use circumstances to shape our character, these same circumstances will also reveal our character. Integrity and purity of heart are significant gifts we can give back to God as we allow His Spirit to cultivate the fruit of a life set apart for God.
It finishes in Service. Our doing is based on our being, not the other way around. Yet, God creates all of us uniquely, shaped to DO something special that He’s has in mind all along. This behavioral component impacts all of life, not just the Sunday morning time slot. It invades all that we do, impacting our lifestyle of activity at home, at the office, in the neighborhood and wherever God leads us.
In this Christmas season, we reflect upon all that God has given to each of us. It behooves us to ask “What are we giving to Him this Christmas?” My prayer is we’re giving Him our best–our soul, our sanctification and our service.
A Christmas Letter from God to His Children
Beloved,
If you
want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth, here is my wish list. Choose something from it.
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time!
2. Visit someone in a nursing home, mental health facility or correctional facility. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile - it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then you could always just stop shopping there on Sunday. Maybe if the stores didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals & whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food & a few gifts & give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity that believes in Me & they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
P.S. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me & do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above & get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love.
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time!
2. Visit someone in a nursing home, mental health facility or correctional facility. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile - it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.
7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then you could always just stop shopping there on Sunday. Maybe if the stores didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals & whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food & a few gifts & give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity that believes in Me & they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
P.S. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me & do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above & get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love.
And remember,
I Love You.
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