Christmas Eve seems a perfect time to reflect on what it is I most wish for as a grown-up. And yes, I use that term loosely, because who among us ever completely feels grown-up? I sometimes find myself longing for the innocence of childhood.
I remember very well marking items in the Sears and JCPenney catalogs as I created a ‘wish list’ in my younger days. I often find myself sitting in our living room, looking at our tree (at right) and thinking about what I most wish for now. Most of us, I believe, still have ‘wish lists,’ but we rarely write them down in our hurried lives. It’s true that the best things in life can’t be wrapped in pretty paper and finished off with a bow.
Here’s my grown-up Christmas list — in no particular order:
- I wish for more people to know Christ personally.
- I wish for a cure for cancer, a disease that has taken its toll on my family through the years — and that currently threatens the lives of many.
- I wish for a few new deep friendships where I can be free to be me.
- I wish for more quiet time with God, to know Him better.
- I wish for more quality time with my wife. Our waking moments together are so busy.
- I wish for more children in this world to have the blessing of godly parents.
- I wish for protection for our troops, wherever they may serve.
- I wish for peace in a world full of chaos.
- I wish for time to stand still for those few moments when I hold my children in my arms.
- I wish for godly spouses for my children when they grow up.
And yes, I will always wish for a white Christmas — and am hopeful that one day that one really will come true!
There are so many more things that I wish for — and pray for. I encourage you to take a moment to jot down your own grown-up Christmas list.
I pray that you will always remember that Jesus is the reason for this wonderful season of the year.
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
