Wednesday, December 10, 2008

What I want for Christmas

It's that time of year again. People are asking me to write a list of things I want for Christmas. As usual I am having a hard time thinking of anything. I have so much already and I need so little. In America I may be considered middle class, but by world standards I am one of the wealthiest people on the planet. Then I heard an add on the radio for Redifining Christmas , and I remembered a similar campaign that I had hear last year. So that go me thinking, what would Jesus want for Christmas? After all, it is His birthday.

I found the answer in Matthew 25:34-40.
Jesus is hungry and wants something to eat.
Jesus is thirsty and want a drink water.
Jesus is a foreigner and wants to be shown kindness.
Jesus is naked and wants clothes.
Jesus is sick and wants treatment for his illness.
Jesus is in prison and wants someone to visit him.

Here is more specific wish list with links to websites were you can buy Jesus what he wants.
Rescue a prostitute from the sex trade.
Build a home for the homeless.
Help provide access to clean water.
Feed a child for one year.
Send a mosquito net to a child to protect them from malaria.
Transform the lives of the rural poor by reversing deforestation and poverty.

So this year for Christmas I would like you to help me make the holiday a little more meaningful. Let's spend less on each other and more on Jesus. I'm not saying you can't buy me a present, or that I won't buy you one. I am saying that I would be delighted with a note saying that you donated money to one of the charities above. If you like, you can wrap it around a bar of fair trade dark chocolate (Divine Chocolate is my favorite), or tucked into a paperback book (here are a few books I want). If you would like me to make a donation as part of your Christmas present, let me know what your favorite charities are.

Isa 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,* Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.