All I Want for Christmas
December 18, 2009 by Dawn
Filed under Bible Based Living
During the holidays last year, that age-old question arose from my husband.
“What do you want for Christmas?”
Normally, I shrug my shoulders, shake my head, or give some form of non-commitment. I don’t ask for anything special because somehow I believe if I do, I will end up disappointed. But this particular year was much different. This time, I knew exactly what I wanted. With all the gusto I could muster, I exclaimed…
A crock pot…
A WHAT?
Yes, a crock pot. Now, I realize that this is a strange request, but I really wanted a crock pot. I love the smell of food cooking through the house, and the feel of home that a crock pot offers, plus the food is incredible!
This Christmas was different indeed for not only did I know what I wanted for Christmas, my husband spent the next few weeks trying to talk me out of my crock pot. Not that he wasn’t willing to buy it for me, but he exclaimed that a crock pot just wasn’t special enough, or worth enough to give me for Christmas. He wanted to show me an expression of his love, and a crock pot just did not sum up to love; or at least it didn’t in his book.
This one little exchange, one simple request set my mind wandering.
How often do I give to people because it is what I want them to have, and not necessarily what they want? Quite possibly this is the number one reason that gift cards have become such an acceptable practice in gift giving today. If we just give someone the gift of cash (or a gift card) then they can just get what they want, and we don’t need to be bothered with the whole ordeal.
Is that how we look at giving? As an ordeal? How hard is it to find out what someone really wants or likes? Truth… not that hard at all. It takes one simple skill, a skill that all of us have at least to some extent… the skill of listening.
Think about it… have you heard your co-worker just rave about a certain shampoo, perfume, or candle that they just love but never seem to have the money to buy? What about a favorite artist, author, movie? Do they have a favorite candy, or dessert?
Years ago I worked for a company and we decided to increase the morale of employees within our work area we would have a secret pal game that went year round. Basically the rules were that everyone had to fill out a one-page questionnaire where we disclosed all sorts of favorites; from teams, to music, to food, candy, movies, actors, colors, and so on. The questionnaires then were picked at random by everyone in the group. Only key was you had to look right away to make sure you did not get your own form back… then, at least once a month (including Christmas and birthdays), your secret pal would get you something… nothing big, just something that lined up with your list and leave it for you, or have it delivered to you at the office. Gifts were as small as a candy bar and as big as a bouquet, or dinner out; there was no dollar limit. Morale went through the roof, and other departments started the same ‘game’.
Why did this form of gift giving work? Because we concentrated on the wants, the likes, the needs of others… and we gave according to what their heart centered on – not ours.
Then I wondered… how often do we do this same thing with God?
Do we give God what we want to give Him of ourselves, or do we give Him what He wants from us? Like any good parent, He is pleased and happy with whatever gift His children bring… but how much sweeter to really give what He wants…
You know what it is… that nudging you have heard during your prayer and devotional time. That one thing you feel in your spirit you need to do. That thing that keeps springing up reminders all around you from out of nowhere…
That thing that He requires of you…
Can you see it?
Will you give it?
But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously. (Micah 6:8, AMP)
That Christmas, I did get my crock pot, and even though I knew it was coming… it is probably one of my fondest memories of Christmas because it was a gift that was meant for me… and it was a gift given out of love!
More From Dawn
