So What’s On Your List?

There is nothing like the holiday season. This time of the year, we often draw our attention to things that we’ve put off for months at a time. The malls become full of last-minute shoppers, charities receive a surge of donations, families make eleventh-hour travel plans, and even our life plans receive an overhaul.

The change in a calendar year reminds us of our need to match reality with the promises we make and the dreams that we hold dear. But as our reality becomes increasingly dissimilar to our promises and dreams, many of us may be tempted toward discouragement or depression.

Although many of us have been taught the “true meaning of Christmas,” we may still have a difficult time in recognizing exactly what we need to do to bridge the gap between unfulfilled dreams and promises, and the cold, hard facts of our lives.

Christmas means that God has a plan to reconcile us unto Himself and is willing at all costs to intervene on all of our behalf. For that reason, it is worthwhile to seek the help that God has given us toward bridging that gap.

Specifically, to avoid wasting our resources and energy on inadequate items, we should remember that Christ always has a list of priorities prepared for us.

Why not just ask Him for a shopping list? After all, whatever we have, He provided in the first place. He knows what we can afford, and where the best places are to find what we need.

Since the “reason for the season” is Christ, perhaps we might do well first to ask for something that He wants for Christmas. Realizing that He owns the cattle of a thousand hills, we still should find out what’s on His list that we can afford!

Perhaps our gift to Him will not require most of us to pack into a shopping mall, or to overextend our credit. Perhaps what He wants from us is a gift that keeps on giving: our very own lives.

Gift-giving typically works both ways. As we present our gift to Him, we should not be surprised to find Him placing into our hands something that we absolutely need that still exceeds our understanding: eternal life and His constant care.

We know that He has heard our prayers, and remembers everything that we have asked for, whether it be healing, financial support, secure relationships, or some other desire of our being.

Often, what He gives us is an opportunity to give to others. Each of us might also find Him placing into our hands a list of concerns that no one but the recipient has an ability to fulfill.

That list may include both time and enjoyable items for children, as well as patience and attention to the needs of elders, or it may include an opportunity to show an act of mercy toward someone from whom you have been estranged.

So what should you do? By all means, make sure that the Lord is at the center of your holiday plans. Never forget: you’re definitely on His list!