All You Want for ChristmasSample

Christmas Must Be Something More

“God is the one who made the world and everything in it. . . He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. . . His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us.” - Acts 17:24-27

Think

There isn’t a time of the year I love more than Christmas! I love the lights; the hundreds of themed songs that flood the radio and our Spotify playlists; the parties and gatherings; the chill in the air; all different kinds of food, candy canes, and Christmas trees; the joy of giving and receiving gifts; and most of all – peppermint mochas. There are hundreds of smells, activities, sounds, and feelings that make Christmastime special and memorable.

But there’s something hidden behind each of those things…an expression of a deeper longing within each person that those elements of the season are offering to provide: a feeling of belonging, of being wanted, of being seen and known, of being satisfied, of being filled with joy. The elements of the Christmas season all point to the fact that there has to be something more lasting...more satisfying. Taylor Swift expresses this so well in her song “Christmas Must Be Something More,” where she says,

“What if ribbons and bows didn't mean a thing; Would the song still survive without five golden rings; Would you still wanna kiss without mistletoe; What would happen if God never let it snow; What would happen if Christmas carols told a lie; Tell me what would you find;

"You'd see that today holds something special; Something holy, not superficial; So here's to the birthday boy who saved our lives; It's something we all try to ignore; And put a wreath up on your door; So here's something you should know that is for sure; Christmas must be something more.”

Apply

The deep longing of our hearts points us to Jesus. He is the one who sought us out when we were lost, brought us into His forever family, knows and loves us completely and unconditionally, and satisfies every need we have. When we find Him, we find what our heart has been craving all along. Christmas is more than all the trappings and trimmings, the lights and food, friends and music, gifts and gatherings. It’s about God calling us to Himself so that we can be loved, accepted, adopted, forgiven, and filled with real, lasting joy.

How are the elements of Christmas clamoring for your attention and trying to get you to believe they can fully satisfy? In what ways can God alone do so?

Pray

Lord, thank you for the promise that you love me completely and unconditionally! Thank you for satisfying my deepest needs. Help me to celebrate YOU this season and not get caught up in thinking that any of these things could give me more or longer-lasting joy than you!

Author – Joel Wood and his wife, Ashley, moved with their three (soon-to-be four) girls across the country from California to Pennsylvania this year to serve as the Family Life Pastor at Keystone Church. He loves the Los Angeles Dodgers; playing in the snow, at playgrounds, and amusement parks with his girls; and helping people find and follow Jesus.