“You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need.” – The Rolling Stones
Many Christmases ago our family always drove from wherever we were living at the time back to Louisville during the Christmas season. Both my parents grew up there. We’d do the traditional Christmassy things, family gatherings, huge meals, and gift exchanges. There was an older couple we always visited, the Baders. They lived in a small house in South Louisville. Charlie was a retired railroad worker. They were discipleship mentors of my parents from my family’s home church, Epworth United Methodist. We never missed a visit to the Bader’s house at Christmas and they always gave us gifts. When I was very small these gifts were cool little toys I loved and looked forward to receiving.
Then, something changed. I guess they figured I was too old for toys. They started giving useful gifts, things like socks, a grooming kit, stuff we could actually use. I’ll never forget putting on that big fake smile, saying “Oh, thank you!” for that pack of socks I needed, but didn’t necessarily want. Christmas was ruined! I felt like Ralphie when he thought he hadn’t received his Red Rider BB Gun!
As I grew older I began to appreciate the Baders more for who they were, not for what they could give to me. I also appreciated those generous gifts of what I needed. The impact of Christmas eludes many people today because they fail to realize their need. God offers what we need. That’s what the first Christmas was all about, Jesus coming in the flesh, coming to reveal what true humanity looks like and offering himself as a sacrifice for our sins. The Bible says, “Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless” (Matt. 5:3 GWT). We are spiritually helpless and what we need is a Savior and Lord.
This Christmas I hope you can begin to truly understand and want what you need.
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