It’s early December and my wife thumbs through our kid’s Christmas lists and with a look of exasperation she turns to me and says, “I need your list. I have no idea what to get you for Christmas.” As I search for an easy answer all I can give to her is “Ok, I’ll think about it and give you some ideas.” So, now I need to make my Christmas list. I don’t know if other guys my age have such a hard time coming up with ideas for Christmas presents, but I’m stumped at the moment. There are a couple of reasons why: one, if it’s something I really want during the year, I usually find a way to get it. “Hey Babe, our internet is slower than dial-up, can I go buy the Lightning Speed Gizzmo Internet Box that runs at 40 mega-zillion bytes per second? You can run Facebook and play Angry Birds at the SAME time!” Two, the stuff I really want costs a boatload of cash like my own media room with a 60 inch LED HDTV, internet gaming, booming surround sound, mini-fridge, popcorn machine and just ONE leather La-Z-Boy recliner, or I could settle for a BMW convertible roadster. But once I leave my fantasyland and all the unicorns have flown away, I get back to the task of creating a realistic Christmas list.
My list is starting to take shape with a few books, flannel pj’s, beef sticks and games, but my mind wanders to what I really want this Christmas beyond a few presents under the tree. All I want for Christmas is to see a smile on my wife’s face with contentment and joy of our shared life together. I desire to see my kids thrive in their interests, studies and friendships. I pray for God’s protection for strong healthy bodies, and that as a family we walk on the path of faith God has provided for us. All I want for Christmas is to know we are in the powerful, merciful, gentle hands of God our Father and to walk in his loving kindness.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11
As I finish my Christmas list, I put my pen down, bow my head and say a prayer of thanks to God that he let me open my present early this year.
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