What God Wants For Christmas

What God Wants for Christmas

Have you ever wondered what God wants for Christmas? It may surprise you.

A missionary who worked among some of the most impoverished people in Africa had just finished preaching the morning message. As it was time to take up the offering, the missionary was moved by what he saw. You see, he had already wondered what those in attendance could possibly put in the offering baskets.

When the baskets were passed, some put in seemingly valuable things they had scavenged from the trash heap. Those who were fortunate to work placed a few coins into the basket.

One woman, who clearly was destitute, looked at the plate as it was coming by. As she sat there and held it, the others in the church service looked at her, wondering what she would do. It was as if time had stopped. Suddenly, she stood up and stepped into the basket, offering herself to the Lord.

I believe that this woman got it exactly right. You see, she gave all she had, and that is all God wanted. This story reminds me of Romans 12:1-2, which states, “Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

The best Christmas present that you can give God is yourself.

Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:1-2