Christmas Presents or Presence

"You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your Presence."

Acts 2:28

When I was a child, the week before Christmas was very exciting. Our house was decorated beautifully, and we spent time with family and friends. On Christmas Eve, I can remember being so anxious for Santa to come and bring gifts.

Bedtime would come, and my parents would tell us that we had better go to bed so that Santa could visit or else we would not have a Christmas. We would hurry to bed but try to stay awake to hear something so that we could catch a glimpse of this jolly old man, who somehow managed to keep all the children of the world’s addresses and requests in order and make his entire trip in one night.

Of course, we always fell fast asleep so we never did see anything or anyone. All we knew was that when we went to bed there was nothing under the tree, and when we woke up there were beautifully wrapped presents everywhere! What fun we had opening them! We squealed with delight as we got things that we had put in our letter to Santa.

As the years went by, we obviously found Santa to be a figment of our imagination but still found the holiday season to be delightful. Instead of waiting for Christmas morning, we began a tradition of opening one present on Christmas Eve. We waited all day in anticipation of that moment. The excitement made me queasy every year for as long as I can remember.

As my siblings and I got married and had children, we found great joy in the thought that "Christmas is for kids." We never forgot to give honor and reverence to Jesus Christ, but our joy came from the children’s response to the gifts.

Something changed when my husband, son, and I moved away from our family. We made trips back at Christmas and though the journey was long, it seemed that our focus changed from Christmas presents to being in the presence of those who we loved. I look back on our Christmas travels, and they were very special times. Yes, we made sure that the children had presents, and we gave gifts that were tokens of our love but the focus had shifted once again. Spending time with our loved ones and celebrating the birth of Jesus was a priceless present to us.

Then several years ago, illness began to plague me, and we were blessed to have my parents come to live near us. We no longer make the long journeys to Michigan, and our son gets to have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at home. We never tried to sell him on Santa Claus and have tried to instill in him the real meaning of the season.

I no longer feel the anticipation that I once felt about the holidays. To be honest what I have felt recently has been pressure and some discouragement, as I cannot do many of the things I once did—things that I thought made Christmas special. The focus now stopped being about presents and instead about "presence"…people’s presence in our lives and our presence in theirs. Above all else, it has come down to sensing a Christmas "Presence" of peace and love that can only come from Jesus.

It isn’t necessary any more to make a Christmas list, because the things I desire cannot be purchased with money. I am content with what I have, and the only thing that I desire is that sense of wonder and awe I felt as a child—not for Santa—but for My Heavenly Father. When you think about it, in some ways He parallels Santa. He knows all of His children by name. He knows the desires of our hearts and has the ability to visit each of us simultaneously. He does not leave gifts that are perishable but if we will look for Him, He will leave something that is priceless…His Presence in our midst.

There is nothing else I need for my life. Things no longer make me happy, and let’s face it, we cannot look to people for a sense of joy. But His Presence during this holiday season is something that we are all in need of and deeply longing for.

You might ask why God’s Presence is so important to me. Well, the Bible says that in His Presence is fullness of joy, in His Presence there is rest, and in His Presence is peace of mind, hope, and renewal. Most of all, in His Presence is a love deeper than even the deep love of family and friends. I guess you can see why I have stopped asking for Christmas presents and now ask for Christmas "Presence" instead.

Perhaps you feel the same way today. You may be weary, worn and even hurting deep inside. The pile of presents are there in front of you, but you find no joy, peace, hope, or love. What you need is to take your eyes off those presents, and instead put your eyes on God’s Presence—which He has promised to you even now. He will not withhold any good thing from you…and having His Presence in your life is the best gift you will ever receive.

 

Prayer:

Father God, we thank You for sending Your Son Jesus into this world to deliver us from our sins and from ourselves. Without Him there would be no Christmas and no celebration at all. We are blessed and are so thankful Jesus that You are Our Savior and Lord. 

Dear God many of us are finding ourselves less than joyful this season. We do not desire anything except to feel the wonder of Your love all over again. We are thankful for the loved ones in our lives and for all the gifts we share but the one thing we want that only You can give is Your Presence this Christmas season. 

We ask You to move in our lives in a very special way. Let us see, feel, and be deeply touched by Your powerful love. Deliver us from material things that never satisfy and as we taste and see that You are so Good let our desire for You be something we feel all year round.

In Jesus Name!

Amen!

**This writing is dedicated to The McLaughlin family in loving memory of David Leon McLaughlin. Leon, you are loved and missed but we know that you are celebrating in God's Presence every day. **

 

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