Advent: A 25-Day Countdown to Christmasنموونە

All I Want for Christmas Is …

What do you want for Christmas this year? Maybe you’d like something practical, like a mini screwdriver set for your glasses. Or perhaps you’re hoping for something fun, like that new device you’ve been dropping hints about since August.

No matter what it is, you probably have some expectations. Maybe those expectations will lead to happiness or disappointment.

Before the birth of Jesus, the people of Judea had expectations too—an expectation that God would send a rescuer to save them and rebuild their nation.

If they knew about Christmas, they’d be saying, “All I want for Christmas is a strong, charismatic, inspiring leader who’s willing to do whatever it takes to lead our people to a better future.”

In the 500 years before Jesus’ birth, there had been a handful of these kinds of leaders, bent on violent revenge toward their enemies.

But why did they expect God’s savior to be a violent king? Because that was all they knew. The only time they’d experienced peace in the past was when a warrior king rescued them by force. So naturally, they wanted another strong ruler to guide their people to military victory.

But what they, and almost everyone in history, failed to notice was that violence can never secure lasting peace. Instead, violence simply passes violence down to the next generation.

God’s people experienced moments of peace when a warlord saved them, but only until another warlord overthrew them. And they were constantly overrun by powerful empires, who kept being defeated by other powerful empires.

So God’s people were waiting for something that couldn’t bring them lasting peace—a strong man, bent on ruling with an iron fist. A ruler who loved his people and hated their enemies. But that kind of ruler has never led them to lasting peace, and never could.

So, what kind of leader could bring them peace? A leader no one expected, or really even wanted.

• A humble person from a small town, who looked nothing like a king.
• A servant leader, with no ambition for national rule.
• A gentle guide, who encouraged people to love their enemies.
• A meek man willing to serve rather than be served.
• And a king who would rather be the victim of violence than a source of violence.

Jesus was the Christmas present no one wanted but everyone needed. It was true then, and it can also be true today.

We’re wise to consider who we expect Jesus to be in our lives this Christmas and in the upcoming year.

Do we see Him as a biased leader who only loves the people who think and act like us? Or is He a divine Santa Claus, ready to bless those on the nice list and curse those on the naughty list?

Jesus is still breaking our expectations, even thousands of years later. So as you prepare for the big day tomorrow, consider your expectations. Who is Jesus to you?

Pause and Pray:

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness to me in the past. Even though I don’t deserve it, You died to set me free. Help me to trust that You are giving me hope, peace, joy, and love right now, in the present. Help me to have faith that You are making the future better than the present or the past. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Reflect or Discuss:

Who is Jesus to you? Is He mean, kind, scary, or welcoming? For help reflecting on this question, check out this article: How to Find Jesus for Yourself