November 29 Advent Devotion written by Isaac Scott

Trisha Huffman | November 29, 2015

I’m sure all of you have heard this question at this festive season: “What do you want for Christmas?” While there aren’t a lot of young folk in my immediate family these days, I would suspect that this question, to a child, can still elicit a shopping list of impressive proportions. When asked of adults, I would suspect the answer either points to bigger-ticket items or asking for support of a cause or generally dodging the question completely.

When I was a young adult, my Dad used to aggravate me to no end with his answer of “You don’t have to get me anything.” I tried not to show my frustration, but so often I wanted to reply that “have to” wasn’t part of the question. He still received something from me each year, even if he didn’t provide any suggestions.

But you know, as I’ve gotten older, I can begin to understand some of the meaning of a response of “you don’t have to get me anything.” I have a good friend with whom I exchange Christmas gifts each year. And more often than not, when we ask each other what we would like for Christmas, we will each say we can’t think of anything or we don’t need anything. It doesn’t stop us each from coming up with something to send the other, but it is seldom something we’ve said we really want.

I’ve also discovered over the years that while I enjoy the gifting part, I’m not that good at being on the receiving end. I’ll admit I’m not the easiest person to shop for—my tastes are pretty picky; I even have trouble shopping for myself. My needs and my wants are generally satisfied, at least those that can be addressed with physical goods.

These days, I want to enjoy pleasant times with family and friends. I want to add to my treasure vault the happy memories from these pleasant times. I want to feel a sense of emotional fullness when the holiday season is over. Not that everything went perfectly as planned, but that all my interactions with family and friends this year were times of good fellowship.

So, where does that leave us with the question at hand? I guess each of us will just have to work through that profound query. But maybe this will help: I wish for you and yours the Hope continually expressed through the Gospels; the Joy brought to Earth on that first Christmas night; the Peace that passes all understanding; and the Love that Christ asked us to show to one another.

Health and long life and all my hopes. Merry Christmas.

Prayer: Loving Father, may we be reminded of the comfort that comes from you through your Son as we face the journey along the path called life. Lift us up and walk beside us. Amen