7 Things I Want for Christmas

  

A few years ago, my wife and I had a chance to see in concert Amy Grant and Vince Gill at the Cabarrus Arena in Concord.   It was a great show, particularly so for those that love the music of that husband and wife duo.    One of the songs that Amy Grant sang that evening was a hit she had a few years ago titled “My Grown Up Christmas List.”

I am at an age where my tangible wants in life are minimal.   I have been blessed with so much.  I recall when I was young asking my grandmother what she wanted for Christmas, and it was hard to get any hints from her.   And here I am, a senior citizen doing much the same thing to my wife, children, and other relatives.    Yet, that song by Amy Grant rings true for me because it is a list of things that you can not buy in a store.   With apologies to my friends in the retail business, the best things in my life cannot bought in a store.    As another Christmas approaches for this husband, father, grandfather, pastor, and follower of Jesus I share my own Christmas list as follows:

To have all my children, grandchildren, and son in laws together in one place with Ann and I at least once in 2024

That God will  guide each of my grandchildren in their path and that may  see Christ Jesus through the person that I am

That God will give me the strength and wisdom to lead the Church in these challenging days as I come in 2024 to  the 50^th anniversary of becoming  a pastor in the local church

That God will give my wife Ann and I the health to have many more years together because I cannot bear the thought of living without her

That the Church of Jesus Christ will spend more time sharing the love of Christ Jesus and less time putting other people and churches down

That the leaders of our state, nation, and world will strive to help others more than they strive to be re-elected

That each person might know and feel the truth that they are made in the image of God who has wonderfully made them

Those are the 7 things on my Christmas list this year.    Sorry, Ann, children, and grandchildren as I  do not think they are much help in your Christmas shopping for me.   However, I do know this:  they are all possible when we allow the greatest gift ever, Jesus Christ, dwell in each and everyone of us.   Merry Christmas everyone!  -   Pastor Randy Wall

PRAYER --  O God,  thank you  for the greatest gift, your son and our Savior Christ Jesus.  Help me to allow Him to live and dwell in me;  through Christ our Lord.  Amen.