Christmas is all about Christ. Have you ever wondered what Jesus would include on his Christmas wish list if He had one? Many of us have never thought about the answer to this question, but the season of Advent is a great time to reflect on this. While we don’t have the specific answer, we can gather some insight from His prayers, specifically John 17. Jesus says, “Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me, may be with me where I am” (John 17:24). Jesus also tells us that His Kingdom, which will eventually bring salvation and justice to all, is concerned with the poor and the underprivileged. The Bible tells us, “None of you should be looking out for your own interests, but for the interests of others” (1 Corinthians 10:24). Jesus expects those He has called and commissioned to represent His Kingdom on Earth to share his concern for those in positions of need. How can we better keep the Christ in Christmas and acknowledge what Jesus desires for us? Here are six things Jesus wants from you this Christmas.
Jesus wants us to love Him with the same love God has for Him.
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Jesus’ goal is not only for us to see His glory, but also for us to love Him with the same love that the Father has for Him. Jesus says, “I have made you known to them and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them” (John 17:26). Jesus’ longing and goal for us is that we see His glory and for us to be able to love what we see with the same love that the Father has for His Son. This doesn’t mean that we simply imitate the love of the Father for the Son. He means the Father’s very love becomes our love for the Son. This is what the Spirit places in our lives: Love for the Son by the Father through the Spirit.
Jesus wants us to help those in need.
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As Christians, we are commanded to help one another but we are also called to help those who are less fortunate than we are. Proverbs 21:13 says, “If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.” 1 John 3:17 also says, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” A great way to help the poor and disenfranchised during the holiday season is by volunteering and donating to causes that support those in need. The Salvation Army is one of the best charities to help with 95 percent of donations going directly to services that help the poor. Getting involved in the Angel Tree program is another great volunteering opportunity, as it allows you to provide Christmas gifts for disadvantaged children who otherwise wouldn’t have any gifts under a tree. What better gift to Christ than to help our fellow neighbor in need?
Jesus wants to be first in your life.
Anything or anyone other than Jesus that holds first place in your life is an idol. This Christmas, Jesus would want you to choose to make Him first, ahead of your finances, interests, relationships and schedule – even your troubles. This starts by giving Him your heart. The Bible tells us, “Where you treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34). Your heart is what you love, value and care about most. One way you can give Jesus your heart this Christmas is by giving your resources to His work. This doesn’t mean that Jesus needs your money, but He wants what it represents – your heart.
Jesus wants your trust.
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One thing that would probably be at the top of Jesus’ Christmas wish list is your trust. Remember, faith is a voluntary matter. Jesus doesn’t have your trust unless you give it to Him. Trusting in Christ means that you’re not relying upon yourself but on Jesus. The most important part of following Christ is to learn from Him. By relying on Christ as our Teacher, He guides us into living a new life that is according to His will and truth. Jesus shows us how to live and will even guide us in how to pray. When we learn what Jesus wants from us, then we rely on His strength and power, activated through the Holy Spirit, to do those things.
Jesus wants you to witness.
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What better gift you can offer Christ than to be a powerful witness to His life and mission and bring others into the family of believers. He wants children who choose to love and trust Him. This is the very reason we celebrate Christmas. You can invite someone to Jesus this Christmas by telling them what Jesus has done in your life. We know from Scripture that the Wise Men didn’t just give Jesus whatever they had leftover when they visited Him on the first Christmas. Instead they gave Him three very significant and valuable gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:11). As you bring other people to Christ, you are giving Jesus a gift far more valuable than the ones even the Wise Men brought.
Jesus wants you.
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One of the greatest gifts you can give Jesus this season is the gift of you. Jesus wants a relationship with you. Of course, Jesus wants other people too, but you are not in a position to give other people to Jesus. However, you have the power to witness, exhort and challenge others to give themselves to Christ. This begins by truly giving yourself to Christ. You can begin by taking these four steps. First, you can give yourself to Christ by giving Him your time, your talent and your money. Second, you can give yourself to Christ by serving others instead of yourself. Third, you can give yourself to Christ by living a holy life in an ungodly world, spending time in His presence, listening to Him. Finally, you can give yourself to Christ by teaching others about Him.
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What better gift can we offer Christ this Christmas than seeing Him in His fullness and accepting all that He has to offer us. Christ is always showing us His glory, but we have to find satisfaction in His glory and delight in it. This Christmas, be committed to growing in your relationship with Jesus and doing all that you can to reflect His love and greatness to others.
