A Christ-Centered Christmas Doesn't Have to Be HardSample

Great Expectations

It seems that every Christmas when our kids were young was full of excitement and expectancy over a particular toy. And of course, it was the same toy every other child wanted for Christmas, so it was nearly impossible to find. Like all the other parents, we searched high and low, hoping to surprise our children with that special something under the tree.

Back in those days, we couldn’t simply look up a toy on the Internet, click, buy, and have it shipped to your home. Instead, we had to drive around town, stand in long lines, and search every store in-person.

Occasionally, our kids asked for a toy we didn’t believe they should have, and we discouraged them from putting it on their Christmas list altogether.

In the holiday film, A Christmas Story, Ralphie wanted a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas more than anything else. Of course, his parents were hesitant to let their young son play with a gun. They reasoned it was too dangerous and he could get hurt. That didn’t deter Ralphie in the least. He was unwavering in his resolve and made a desperate plea to Santa himself. Santa’s response? “No way, kid! You’ll shoot your eye out!”

On Christmas morning, after all the presents were opened, Ralphie’s downcast face said it all. The gift he wanted more than anything else was missing. But then with a twinkle in his eye, Ralphie’s father points to a single present across the room. It seems to have been missed. The look of surprise on Ralphie’s face as he rips open the long rectangular box with his Red Ryder BB gun is priceless. His parents beam with delight.

I think the closest we can come to understanding God’s love for us is to look at the relationship between parent and child. Just as we want to provide the very best for our children, God wants to provide the very best for you and me. And in the same way that we want to give good gifts to our sons and daughters, God wants to give good gifts to us.

When we pray to our Heavenly Father, petitioning our hopes and dreams, God hears our desperate pleas, and wants to bless us, but just like any good father, He knows what is truly best.

I’ve heard it said, God answers prayers in three different ways: Yes. Not yet. I have something better.

God always hears our prayers and is eager to answer, but when He doesn’t give us what we want, it’s because He has something better.

Personal Reflection

• What is your most memorable gift received as a child?
• What is the most memorable gift you gave to a loved one, and how did giving it make you feel?

Prayer

Lord thank you for being such a generous Father and giving me the best gift of all—your one and only Son—Jesus. When I get discouraged because I’m not seeing my prayers answered, help me remember that you already know what I need, but you also know what is truly best. Amen.