1 Dec 2008
We’ve all been asked the question: “What do you want for Christmas?” Whether from grandparent, parent, spouse or friend, the question implies a desire by the questioner to find out what you really want, what would please you, what they could give you as an act of love. Some may see this as taking away the surprise or delight of opening a Christmas present from someone who knew you so well they didn’t need to ask and could anticipate that which would please you. But ask anyone who has opened a present, and upon seeing what was given, has no idea how to respond without hurting feelings, or who is already calculating how much time will be spent in the return line, and you’ll appreciate that simple loving question, “What do you want for Christmas?”
So this question, rather than being seen as taking the easy way out or not having to put much effort into Christmas shopping, is actually a question based on love. When you make this inquiry you are peering into the heart of one you want to please, wanting your gift to match their values, interests and taste. Doesn’t every giver delight in both seeing and hearing genuine thanks by the recipient of our gift, knowing with complete certainty that our gift is exactly what was wanted?
That’s why asking this question and having prior knowledge doesn’t diminish the power of giving the gift. Knowing what is wanted means nothing without the act of giving. And the love shown in giving is not tarnished just because you already knew the wish. So hopefully you have already been asking those you love, those you are closest to, what they want for Christmas so you can know the wonderful joy that comes when you provide the desire of another’s heart!
But this really isn’t an article about our human relationships (and certainly is not an endorsement of over spending or perpetuating the crass commercialism that our culture has made of the celebration of Christ’s birth). No, instead I want us to examine this in light of a different relationship, and suggest we also ask this question of God. I wonder what would happen in our spirit if we approached the Christmas season by asking, “God, what do You want for Christmas?”
Now obviously the Lord of the Universe doesn’t need a new sweater or merchant gift card, and He already wrote The Book. What in the world could God want for Christmas? – YOU!
At this time of year we ponder the implications of the prophetic anticipation of the coming Messiah recorded in Isaiah 7:14 and 9:6-7, and Micah 5:2. And we delight in reading the story of Jesus’ birth that we find in Matthew chapters 1 and 2, and Luke chapters 1 and 2. But it is in John’s Gospel (I believe) that we find out what God wants for Christmas. In John 1:1-14 we see Christmas from a grander scale. Matthew and Luke give us the ground’s eye view, but John sees Christmas from above, with a heavenly perspective. So here we see that what God wants for Christmas is for each of us to receive Him as Lord and Savior (John 1:12), to become part of His family (also 1:12), and for our life to glorify Him and his Name in all we are and do (1:14).
We don’t even need to ask God what He wants for Christmas. He’s already told us. The only question is whether we love Him enough to give Him His heart’s desire!
Denis Whittet
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