We often say that Christmas is for the kids. The sweetest smiles on the faces of children around us during this joyous season seem to support this.
- As adults, we claim that we know the deepest essence of the Christmas season.
- Kids have their own reasons for celebrations. If we were to ask them, one of their top answers will definitely be, “I will receive the gifts that I want to have!”
- Sometimes, thinking that we know better than them, we scold them for having such shallow ideas.
- At this moment, let’s try to look at things in a different way. Instead of trying our best for our children to learn from us, let’s learn from them.
- Let’s gain insights from the gifts that they want to receive every Christmas…
- Let’s go back to the thrills of childhood and say… This is “My Kiddie Christmas”
Five Favorite Gifts Kids Want to Receive
1. New Clothes
- Christmas is the time when children expect new clothes to wear during Christmas parties and family reunions.
- For the kids, it’s a time to show a change in them, specifically, a change on the outside.
- They are not wearing the same clothes they wore the year before.
- New clothes for us signify the change happening in us.
- Having clothed with the righteousness of God, we are continuously changed from glory to glorY
- 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV): And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
- 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT): So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord–who is the Spirit–makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
- We wear new clothes of character in us, as the work of the Holy Spirit progresses in us.
- Change in the way we see
Ourselves
Others
God
- In this season of Christmas, may we yearn for a change in our character, in the way we deal with people, in the way we live this life for God.
2. New Shoes
- New clothes come with a new pair of shoes.
- A child’s life is full of adventure.
- Let us not think that it is a luxury for children to buy new pairs of shoes.
- The year might have worn out the old ones. All the places they went to might have left the old shoes uncomfortable to wear.
- So they need a new one to enjoy another year of travel…of going to places they need to be.
- As children of God, we also travel as followers of God.
- Perhaps, the long journey had gradually worn out the shoes of service we have as we obey Him.
- Has following Christ become a burden that we painfully bear? The reason behind this lies on the truth that we need to reflect on our journey and look at our feet…
- Do we still have the right shoes to keep us lovingly serving our Master?
- Our Shoes – What keeps us from surrendering, what protects us from having the wrong outlook on service and obedience
God’s Encouraging Words
Our Dreams for God’s Ministry
Our Right Priorities
- This is the right time for us to walk in His path having the renewed passion of a devoted follower.
3. New Toys
- Toys are an indispensable part of childhood.
- Most of us, if not all, have memories of a time when we could not wait to play with our new toy at home. We would be scolded because we would set aside eating dinner just to play with it.
- This is because toys bring joy to kids. For a kid, there’s nothing that can spark greater excitement more than a new toy does.
- What brings you joy? What satisfies your soul?
- This season let us learn from the kids who know what brings them joy and still feel the excitement in anticipation of receiving it.
- Maybe we need to go back to the beauty of reflecting on what we want…we desire…we long for…
- Let us remember that Jesus came to give us life and to have it to the full
John 10:10 (NIV): The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10 (NLT): The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
- “Some people die at twenty-five and aren’t buried until they are seventy-five.” – Benjamin Franklin
- Have you stopped dreaming for the best?
- Have you stopped looking for what will truly bring you joy?
- Remember that God has prepared the gifts that will bring you joy. He just waits for you to search for and unwrap them.
4. New Music Players
- We can all testify to the fact that the changing times are bringing music closer to us. And even closer to the young ones.
- Now, we have all sorts of portable music players that can be so small that we can put it inside our pockets.
- With these technological advancements, even kids desire to have their own music players containing their favorite songs.
- Moreover, the portability of these gadgets makes it easier for owners to bring them wherever and whenever.
- At any place and at any given time, they can just push a button and sing with the melody of their favorite songs.
- How about us? Are we like these kids who always want to sing the melody that has captured their hearts?
- Do we still have heart of David, always yearning to praise and worship God? Following after Him… pursuing His heart…
Psalm 27:4 (NIV):
One thing I ask of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
Psalm 150 (NIV):
1 Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
Praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 Praise him with tambourine and dancing,
Praise him with the strings and flute,
5 Praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.
- Components of the Worship Model
The all-together-lovely Worshiped
The created worshiper
The sweet melody of a true heart
- Let us be reminded of the truth that you and I are made to worship our Creator with the melody that comes from our thankful hearts.
5. New Cellphones
- Cellphones have been part of daily living.
- Because of this, even kids, when given much exposure, can eventually learn how to use a cellphone at an early age.
- In addition, even kids desire to have their own cellphones so that they can text their family and friends.
- In short, they have seen the importance of communication with their loved ones.
- We, as far older people with more experiences, should have a better understanding of the significance of communication, especially in our relationship with God.
- We are living in a busy world. Sometimes, we are so choked with the affairs of this life that we think that it is quite impossible for us to reach God…to stay connected with Him.
- The good news is that communication without disconnection is possible in our relationship with God.
- Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV): “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
- Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV): You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
- Do we still desire for an undisrupted communication/connection with our God?
Conclusion
God loves children because they long for things with the sincerest motives. When the apostles tried to stop the children from playing near Jesus, He rebuked them and commanded them to let the children sit on His lap. Why? Simply because Jesus knew the heart of those children… for no other reason than being with Jesus that they eagerly wanted to come near him. The children came not with hidden motives but their sincerest desires to embrace Jesus Christ.
We should be like a child who sincerely longs to be near Him and desires the things that will glorify His Name. Let us refresh our minds and hearts with the truth of the character of our Loving Father. He is the Giver of gifts, our Blesser.
Romans 8:32 (NIV)
32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?