My favorite Christmas song is "Grown Up Christmas List" as performed by Amy Grant. While there are a lot of Christmas songs that I really enjoy, there is something about the message of this song that gets to the heart of the One for whom the season is named. Here is a section of the song that means a lot to me:
So here's my lifelong wish,
My grown-up Christmas list.
Not for myself,
But for a world in need.
No more lives torn apart,
That wars would never start,(and wars would never start)
And time would heal all hearts.
And everyone would have a friend,
And right would always win,
And love would never end.
This is my grown-up Christmas list.
This is still my list. In a world where we are inundated by TV commercials telling us what we need to be happy, this song gets to the heart of what will bring true joy.
You and I are created to be beings that give and are sent. The Father sent to Son to set us free. He sent the Spirit to empower us to be free. And we are sent to extend this freedom to those around us. Our Christmas list should, in the words of the song, be "not for myself, but for a world in need."
While I will still give presents to loved ones and I will enjoy receiving gifts from those I love, this day and season is about much more than presents under a tree. Christmas is ultimately about the Gift from God that hung on a tree and set you and me free to give ourselves for the benefit of God's Creation.
What's on your Christmas list? At the top of my list is to be more open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to give myself to benefit those around me. May my life be an extension of the Christ who was sent for me.
shine!
Jason
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