I can still remember a particular Christmas as a child. I don’t remember how old I was, but I remember the gift. I received a tape recorder/player and a cassette. It was the Barbra Streisand/Barry Gibb duet album–the one with them both wearing white on the front cover. That cassette was played over and over while I sang every song. More cassettes followed over the years as my love for music grew. A few years later, I got a turntable and a membership to the record club, and I began to build my album collection: Ann Murray, Linda Rondstadt, and Rita Coolidge turned into Journey, Night Ranger, and Foreigner with the increase in age.
Then my sophomore year in college, I gave my life to the Lord. I began to desire the things of God rather than the things of the world. My love for music never wavered, but the object of my affection did. My heart became drawn to worship and music that lifts the soul. I came to realize that the passion God put in my heart for music was just waiting to be focused on the One who makes it beautiful. Now the greatest gifts I receive are those that encourage my walk with the Lord.
What’s on your list this year? Mine started with a pair of boots, some socks, and a sweater. But then I began to think about the things I really want and love: devotionals, Bible studies, journals and pens, worship music, candles–those things that I use during my quiet time, that are tools to seeking God.
But let’s go a little deeper. What do you really need this year? Perhaps, you need healing, comfort, wisdom, or guidance. Maybe your greatest need is peace right now. How about power and victory?
“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given…” (Isaiah 9:6, NIV).
All that we truly need can be found in Jesus. After all, that is why we celebrate Christmas.
“And he will be called Wonderful Counselor…”
The Hebrew for wonderful means “something unusual or out of the ordinary” and counselor means “giving counsel or wisdom.” If you are in need of wisdom, direction, or discernment right now, Jesus is your wonderful Counselor through His Spirit (John 14:26).
“…Mighty God…”
This phrase suggest the divine power and authority of Jesus as a Warrior who will fight for us. Are you in the midst of a battle right now, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually? You need the One who will fight for you with all power and authority–the Mighty God (Psalm 35:1).
“…Everlasting Father…”
Praise God for the compassion of a Father who provides for His Children! Jesus will meet all our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).
“…Prince of Peace.”
There may be no more beautiful name than that! No matter what we are facing in life, nothing compares to the peace of God. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, the One who whispers, “Peace, be still” over our every circumstance.
What do you want for Christmas? Let Jesus fill your every need and give you the longings of your heart.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).
My prayer for you today is that you will receive all that you have need of this year in Christ. And as you give gifts to your loved ones this year, be sure to share the greatest Gift of all.