It’s something I’ve wanted for almost all of my life.
Could this year or 2010 be the year I finally get it?
Years ago as a young boy growing up I heard a Christmas jingle that’s stayed with me all of my life. It was “All I Want for Christmas” and the lyrics went “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, My two front teeth, Oh my two front teeth. All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth and I will have a Merry Christmas!”
I never knew if that song was written by an elementary student who’d lost his baby teeth and wanted the new ones to hurry up and grow in. . .or a senior adult resisting having to buy dentures. . .or a prize fighter who’d just met his waterloo in his last bout.
But, it was a fun song—and still is—pretty much like “I’m Getting Nuthin’ For Christmas.” I still like that verse about “putting a tack in Bobby’s chair, Somebody snitched on me.” (I probably did that a time or two, if the truth be known, but I imagine it was Walter, Marian or Jerry’s chair if I recall).
Regardless, as we near the time of that now politically incorrect season—CHRISTmas—I find myself humming “All I want for Christmas” with new meaning. Maybe because I’m getting a little bit more “mature” (not older, mind you, just closer).
But, one thing’s for sure:
Now, as never before, “All I want for Christmas” is “More of Him. More of Jesus, God’s Gift to us sent on that first Christmas morning in Bethlehem.” His “wrapping” (events of His Life) were quite plain in comparison to others. But, truly He was/is the “Most Perfect, Precious, Priceless and Practical Christmas Gift” the world has ever known.
Yes, like the Apostle Paul, my consuming desire these days is “To know Him, the power of His Resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death” (Philippians 3:10).
As I look around me and see the conditions of our nation and world, a part of me cringes. My heart aches. Brokenness everywhere. Fear on every hand.
How I long for those simple years of my childhood when things seemed much simpler and safer—more “predictable,” if you will. But, those years are gone. And, in some ways they were simply a childhood illusion anyway.
I just didn’t realize it back then when we had to use an outhouse, wringer-washer and pump to fetch water.
But, one thing is crystal clear now:
All I want for Christmas this year is to see God move once again like He did that day in Ezekiel’s vision of “The Valley of Dry Bones” (Ez. 37:1-14). Or, how I’d love to see Him move as He did on the Day of Pentecost, His Spirit swooshing in “like a mighty rushing Wind” (Acts 2:1-2).
Some say it can’t happen; but, I would disagree.
I believe Joel’s prophecy in Joel 2:28-32 (and quoted by Peter in his powerful sermon on the Day of Pentecost—Acts 2:14-21) has yet to be fulfilled. I believe Ez. 37’s proximity to Ez. 38 & 39 (end-time prophecies) is more than coincidental.
Dear Reader, our God is a Covenant-keeping God. And, as we saw in last week’s article, “IF we’ll humble ourselves, pray, seek His Face and turn from our wicked ways, THEN He will hear from Heaven, forgive our sin and heal our land” (II Chronicles 7:14).
The question is “Do we believe Him? Do we believe He still is ‘a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him’ (Hebrews 11:6b)? Do we believe He still wants to ‘pour water upon him who is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground. . .’ (Isaiah 44:3a)?”
This past week Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, claimed the United States is attempted to thwart the return of mankind’s savior—the 12th Mahdi or Muslim Messiah—“because we (the U.S.) know the Iranian nation is the one that will prepare the grounds for his coming and will be the supporters of his rule.”
Now do you see why they’re conducting jihads? It’s not about terrorism; it’s about ushering in a worldwide rule of Islam. Nothing more; nothing less.
But, do not fear, dear Reader. Instead, make sure you’re doing all you can to “prepare for the true Messiah’s coming”. . .and the great Revival that will precede it. . .by giving Him what He wants for Christmas: Every part of your being. God bless you!
