How are we already at the end of the year celebrating Christmas? Did this season seem to sneak up on you as quickly as it did for me? The older I get, the quicker the years seem to slip away, and before I know it, I’ve blinked, and my children are all grown up! (sniff, sniff). As I ponder back on the days of old when our daughters were in that sweet stage when everything was magical and celebrating Christmas came with extreme amounts of giggles, I can’t help but get sappy.
Yet, as I begin to prep and prepare for this season, it not only causes me to get a little sentimental, stroking those nostalgic memories, but it also summons me to pause and reflect on this past year. I must admit, each year, I am blown away at how God has moved behind the scenes, showcasing His faithfulness. Even in the times when I was hanging by a thread (and those have been many), I can see where He delivered and made true to His promises. We sure do serve an incredible God!
So, with that, it may leave you wondering, what does God want from us this Christmas? Furthermore, what could we possibly give to the Giver of all things?
Maybe, like me, you are wondering how to honor and glorify God for all the rich blessings and goodness He has so graciously given you and long to truly thank Him for His unwavering and unfailing love. Even more, you seek to give our merciful Father your whole heart, undivided attention, and faithful love, placing yourself at His feet in adoration for the most beautiful gift of all, His Son!
Well, my friend, I dare not say I know exactly what God wants from us on Christmas, but what I can say is that there is some insight as we dig into His Word and seek to understand the nature of His character and heart. So, let’s gain a little clarity and strive to learn what gift (or gifts) we can bring to our Heavenly Father and maybe even receive a precious gift from Him in return.
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God's Christmas List
What if God had a Christmas “wish list?” What do you think would be on it? I believe that since He is the God of love, it would be fitting for Him to want our genuine and authentic love. Maybe, just maybe, His list might resemble this-
- Love Him with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength (Mark 12:30).
- Love and serve others (John 15:12-13).
Love. The basis of the best gift! But not just any kind of love; rather, the kind of love that is unconditional and comes with selfless sacrifice. The love that flows from a heart that loves Jesus and longs to love others through His shining example. The kind of love that is laid out for us in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. If there is anything our world is lacking and desperately needs, it’s love that brings joy, hope, and peace and is wrapped in mercy.
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Love God with Your Heart, Mind, and Soul
Deuteronomy 6:5 and Mark 12:30 (along with other gospel accounts) tell us we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Powerful verses that link the Old Testament and New Testament remind us that God has always sought after all our hearts, minds, and souls.
This commandment was given to Moses to share with the Israelites, calling on them to lay down the foundation of their faith by giving their full devotion to the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:5-9). Then, in Mark 12:30, Matthew 22:37, and Luke 10:27, we see this verse as Jesus teaching in the courtyards before the crowds, actively debating the Jewish and civil leaders, sharing that this is the greatest commandment.
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Loving God with Your Heart
As we apply this commandment to our own lives this holiday season, we can love the Lord our God with our hearts by connecting to Him daily through earnest and fervent prayer. This time of year brings forth such a sweet opportunity to connect with our Father in an intimate and meaningful way. Posture yourself in submission and thank God for His abundant love and grace, then see where the communication leads as you pour out your heart. If you are unsure where to start, try a Christmas devotional, journal your thoughts, or just sit in stillness and silence, soaking in the wonders of His love as you give Him your undivided attention.
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Loving God with Your Mind
We can love the Lord with our minds by seeking truth and digging into His Word. There are countless verses that reference the birth of our Savior and can really make us ponder on the wonders and depths of God’s love with the birth of Jesus. Read Isaiah 7:17 and 9:6, Micah 5:2, Titus 3:4-6, and 2 Corinthians 9:15. The gospels of Luke and Matthew are also a good place to start. As you read these verses, let them resonate with you as you come into God’s presence. If there are lies you currently believe or misunderstandings you are bending towards, ask God to replace them with His truth to set you free.
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Loving God with Your Soul
Loving the Lord God with all our soul comes with an action step of giving Him all our thanks and praise in the form of worship and song. There are so many beautiful Christmas songs that can truly capture and declare the sheer magnitude of this season. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is one of my favorites, and every time I hear it, the words simply penetrate my soul. So, give God the gift of your worship this season and belt out those songs, letting Him know how much you love Him!
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Love and Serve Others
If the greatest commandment is to love God with our whole heart, mind, and soul, the second greatest command is to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22: 39). Truth be told, Jesus didn’t have to add this commandment when speaking to the Pharisees, yet He did so purposefully, as He obviously thought it important and valuable enough for them (and us) to hear. Maybe because these commandments cause us to act in an unnatural way and to love selflessly; in other words, they provoke us to love more like Jesus!
When we love our neighbor, (or basically anyone that we come into connect with), as ourselves, we treat them the way we want to be treated. Oh, the universally dubbed” Golden Rule.” However, in going a bit deeper with that thought, if we love God first, He prompts us on how to love others well. So, now we see how these commandments naturally go hand in hand. And, with that, let’s put it into practice this holiday season, shall we?
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Spread Joy
Ever since a children’s pastor explained to our youth that J.O.Y stands for Jesus, Others, and Yourself, it made me look at relationships in a whole new light. God’s design for our relations with others can bring so much joy if we just follow His plan and seek Him first, love others well, and then tend to ourselves in that order. So, let’s spread joy to others this season by letting God prompt us to share simple acts of kindness (1 John 3:18), display an attitude of gratitude (1 Thessalonians 5:16-19), and place another’s needs above our own (Philippians 2:3).
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Be a Peacemaker
Matthew 5:9 calls for us to be peacemakers and, even more, that those who promote peace will be abundantly blessed. It’s obvious that God’s kingdom is a sanctuary of peace. And, let’s face it, we all long for peace and unity, especially around a season that practically welcomes it around the globe. We can be peacemakers this year by being patient with others, listening intentionally, acknowledging the views and feelings of others, and extending grace as needed.
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Deliver Hope
Christmastime has a special way of bringing renewed hope in all of us. It’s as if we can let go of the past and see a glimmer of light in the future. There is nothing quite like the hope we feel during Christmas. Isaiah 40:31 tells us that as we renew our hope, we essentially awaken our faith and find new strength to persevere. Yet, for many, the holidays can spur on pain and sorrow, and hope can become lost in the fog of grief. This holiday, let’s be mindful of those who are hurting and reach out in love, delivering hope by bringing a meal, sending a heartfelt card, or stopping in with a warm cup of cocoa.
This Christmas, give God the gift of your love! Start now by connecting more deeply to Him through your prayers, digging into His Word, and praising Him through song and worship. Then, allow the Holy Spirit to help you spread joy, bring peace, and deliver hope! What precious gifts we can both give and receive!
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Originally published Thursday, 21 November 2024.