For many of us, Christmas time as a child is some of the happiest memories we have. There is something magical about the way that snow covers our yards creating mountains and caves where only months ago it was just bushes and grass. Houses being decorated and presents wrapped and placed under the tree invite children of all ages to look for something beautiful in the ordinary and expect surprises around every corner.
When I was a child, my older brother, younger sister and I would spend most of the Christmas season looking through the JC Penney’s Christmas Catalog. We would study the pictures and circle the things we might like to ask Santa for. Although we were pretty certain that JC Penney’s was not located at the south pole, we marked up that catalog with our circled treasures, initials, stars and exclamation marks, as if it were a direct line to that jolly old elf’s workshop.
I really can’t remember the things I put on my Christmas list, although I do remember my sister asking for a “monkey - a real monkey” every year from the time she could write until - well, for all I know she still puts it on her list, but I do remember the excitement and thrill of the wait. Yep! That’s right, I said “the wait.”
I would shake every package under the tree and mentally check if it was possible that it could be one of the things I had put numerous stars beside, but I was never daunted. I knew that Santa didn’t wrap presents, he simply left them under the tree. So the really good ones would be there when I woke up Christmas morning and I couldn’t wait.
As an adult, I still write a Christmas list each year but the things I really want can’t be circled in a catalog anymore. What I really want is for every person to know God’s love (Ephesians 3:14-21). I know it sounds corny, but just imagine for a moment what our world would be like if every person felt truly loved - unconditionally, freely, recklessly and immensely loved.
Have you ever had the privilege of watching true love enter a person’s life? The transformation is incredible! Now imagine if each and every person was given the gift of true love. The transformation would be amazing! We really don’t have to wait for the gift to be given - it is given through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection - unconditional, free, absolutely reckless and immensely amazing love.
God anxiously awaits for each and every person to unwrap and play with the wonderful gift of love that has been given. What are you waiting for?
Merry Christmas and May God Bless the New Year,
Pastor Trish
Tags: Christmas
