All I Want For Christmas
Several years ago, I wrote to my church about the necessity of pursuing Christ’s presence amid the enthusiasm of yearning for material goods. As I write this, I agonize over the painstaking task of sending my wife, Robin, Amazon links to things I’d like her to buy me for Christmas. What’s on my list? Beard balm, beard conditioner, beard shampoo, an ESV Omega Thinline in Royal Purple, and mini statues of dead theologians to put on my bookshelf to make me look more cultured than I truly am. I don’t care about those things because I want people for Christmas. Although material gifts like a new Xbox or PlayStation 5 (Yes, I’m a grown man working on a Doctorate, and I still play video games, don’t judge me) bring happiness, the joy fades away because these materials fade away. What I want for Christmas are friends and family.
The Christmas season is when we celebrate the birth of Christ but let’s look at our Savior’s incarnation. When Jesus, the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, came into the world, he was surrounded by people. As the Gospel stories tell us, Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph, then Magi came to celebrate and pay homage to the King of Kings. Jesus’ earthly ministry saw him surrounded by people. Amid his many miracles and parables, he invited people into his presence. He ate with prostitutes, tax-collectors, nationalists, outcasts, and the privileged. Jesus didn’t count people as a bother to be dealt with as quickly as possible so that he could get to more important tasks. Instead, Jesus brought people into his earthly life with joy, compassion, and love.
With an eye towards his destination, the cross, Jesus knew that his mission and purpose was to die for all the Father had set aside. He came to die, but amid this ultimate mission, Jesus didn’t see people as a waste of time or an inconvenience. Our Savior saw people as those who’d been created in God’s image and worthy of dignity and respect. He valued people not for what they could do for him but for who they were.
Central to Christ’s ministry is the redemption of people through faith and repentance. This is the glory of the Lord that he came to die for sinners like us. The Apostle Paul writes that
he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Eph. 1:5-10)
The ultimate gift we receive at Christmas is Christ. As we approach holiday gatherings, we will undoubtedly be haunted by the memories of missing those from our tables. Parents, children, close friends, aunts, uncles, and siblings who we’ve lost over the years will be in our hearts and minds as we bake hams and open up gifts. Maybe what haunts our minds amid this joyous season are reminders that we are lonely or grew up in traumatizing situations. For the Christian, their family is the family of God. We’ve been adopted into a family that dates back to Abraham. Our Father created the universe. Our brother is in whom and for whom we’ve been created and redeemed.
All I want for Christmas is greater gratitude for the blessing of family. My immediate family is Robin and our children. But also to be reminded that my family is greater and larger than I can even comprehend. The Father has adopted me, my brother is Christ who indwells me by the Spirit.
Enjoy your family this Christmas season. Embrace the people God has place in your life. It is the season we are reminded that our Lord and Savior came for people and restored them to life.
