What Do You Want for Christmas?

This day is full of a lot of emotions. The joy of being with family. The excitement of baby’s first Christmas. The anticipation of being with those you love. The loss of a family member or friend this past year. The loneliness of what’s missing. The relational strife that still exists.

What do you want for Christmas? Is it the gift you’ve been waiting for all year? Is it good health? Is it a partner to do life with? Is it peace in your heart? Is it having the perfect house, perfect location, perfect job, or perfect family?

When it comes to Christmas, I’ve felt some of these same feelings. Joy. Sadness. Anticipation. Loneliness. Strife. Yet, with all these things we humanly “hope” for, none meet the satisfaction, hope, and peace that Jesus brings.

To the one who spends one more Christmas alone without a partner, God says “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.” (which means ‘God with us.’) Matthew 1:23

To the one who can’t seem to find peace, God says “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3

To the one who needs guidance and help, God says “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32:8

To the one who grieves, Jesus says “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

To the one who struggles with relational strife at the holidays, Jesus says “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

To the one who questions how God would allow such pain and suffering in this world, God says “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

To the one who just needs a huge dose of encouragement and help, Jesus says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

To the one who wonders if he’ll ever get life together, God says “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fail, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24

To the one who feels abandoned or rejected, God says “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

This Jesus, who was born this day, wants us desperately and loves us like crazy! He satisfies our deepest needs and is the best gift ever. All I want for Christmas is a God like this. Merry Christmas!

One of my favorite songs at Christmas..All is well with Michael W. Smith and Carrie Underwood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG6fQmh9F_Q

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

White Elephant Fun

White Elephant gift exchanges bring out the best and worst in me. I become quite animated throughout the exchange, scheming as much as possible to get the best gift ever. I love stealing. I love taking the best gift from a poor soul who loved the gift immensely. It’s totally fun to go against my character and play the stealth villain at these gatherings. I usually come away with something pretty fun and exciting because I know how to play these things.

We have two parties coming up this week and I’m ready. I’ve done due diligence to get fun, creative white elephant gifts that people would like, but extremely funny at the same time.

As I was preparing for these parties, I realized I knew nothing about the origins of this fantastic Christmas activity. I looked up where this ‘White Elephant idea’ came from. According to legend, it was a king of Siam (now Thailand) who came up with the brilliant scheme of giving actual white elephants to his most annoying, obnoxious courtiers as revenge. It was the perfect good-news/bad-news gift. Nowadays, the guiding principle in the exchange is that you give an impractical gift, maybe wanted, maybe unwanted, and often humorous. My going-in strategy: Don’t come to a White Elephant exchange looking to gain something valuable but do everything you can to GET something valuable!

As much as I love these White Elephant gatherings, there’s a reality that is true for all gift exchanges. A gift is only as valuable as it is important to the person who receives it. I know I’ve gotten some gifts that I have no interest in and they eventually ended up at Goodwill.

Not true with God and his gift-giving! No one can ever give another person the BEST gift. The PERFECT gift. The most VALUABLE gift. That gift is God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Each of us must decide whether we will unwrap and receive that gift. This gift has more value than we’ll ever imagine! 

God knew that mankind could never be good enough or righteous enough on their own to be joined to Himself. So, He sent His Son, as the perfect gift, given to everyone who believes in Him. When you receive this gift, you get it FOREVER. You never earn or pay for it. You never get it stolen. You never have to turn it back in. The gift of God was the most sacrificial thing He could give.

Even though I love, love, love the White Elephant parties, they're not the most important thing to me. I get home and toss my new White Elephant treasure somewhere, soon to be forgotten. Often, I use it as my White Elephant gift for the next party.

The older I get, the more I realize that stuff doesn’t matter. All this stuff will pass away. Life is about knowing God and receiving Jesus, the greatest gift ever. Don’t pass on this gift.

“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8

Take a listen to this beautiful song by Shawner Belt Edwards: He is the Gift: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqzpEJuNIBk

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

God's Favor

I think there’s something human and very natural in us that longs to be wanted, accepted, and loved. Who doesn’t want to be wanted? Who doesn’t want a deeper connection with people? Who doesn’t want to be validated by a spouse, children, co-workers, boss, someone we’re dating, our parents, or even our adult kids?

We invest a lot of our mental capacities in looking for favor. The favor of people, as good as it can sometimes feel, will never be enough. How many of us have learned that simple truth?

In the Christmas story in the Bible, we see another type of favor. God’s favor. Luke 2:13-14, says “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom God’s favor rests.”  The announcement was given “Peace to those on whom God’s favor rests.”

In the attached song “Blessings”, there is a line that says, “May His favor be upon you.” Let’s consider the word “favor”. In the Bible, we can define favor as “gaining approval, acceptance, or special benefits.” It can be described as God’s divine kindness….an act of true compassion on the part of God Himself toward needy and undeserving recipients. (What is God’s Favor? Christianity.com)

God, sending Jesus to this earth in human form was God’s greatest act of favor, the gift of eternal life. It is only by accepting Jesus that we can receive His grace and live for the Lord in this dark world. This is clearly  explained in Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

So, here’s what I know to be true. I am someone upon whom God’s favor permanently rests. Why? It’s not because I’m “good enough” or “wanted enough” or “special enough.” I’m not. I have a fairly good idea of what it means not to be wanted.

It is simply because years ago, as a senior in high school, I visited a church on a Sunday night hoping to meet up with a guy. Instead, I heard the gospel message and met up with Jesus. I realized I was a sinner and in need of a Savior. It’s because of that decision long ago, that I know that I know that I know I have God’s favor. It has nothing to do with being a “semi-good” person as some might think, but everything to do with Christ in my life.

Maybe it’s time to let go of trying to be all things to everyone in our relationships. What if we didn’t care one little ounce what people said or thought about us on social media or in "real” life? What if we stopped investing so much energy hoping to be seen and known and appreciated? The favor of people will never be enough, but the favor of God will be more than enough.

As you consider God’s favor, take a moment to meditate and worship to the song, The Blessing, by Cody Carnes, Elevation Worship, and Kari Jobe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp6aygmvzM4

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

The Uncomfortable of Christmas

Every December, we come face to face with the reality that Christmas is coming. For some, that sets off immediate alarms that “I have so much to do before Christmas!” For others, the reality of Christmas reminds us of what we lack, albeit singleness, the loss of a loved one, or sadness that it’s not the way it’s supposed to be this year. For some, we’re wondering how to mingle joy with the sorrows and atrocities we see in the world today. I also think some have a “Bah humbug!” attitude either because they’re not into “religion” or they just don’t like dealing with all the talk of Christmas.

I sense our current or past circumstances can cloud the reality of Christmas. We can avoid Christ in Christmas because we are simply not comfortable with Christ. Long ago or more recently, we decided He’s not for us. We’ve made up our mind and there’s no swaying us. For others, the challenging circumstances of sickness, loss, loneliness, financial woes, or other lack have made the true meaning of Christmas a blur. All we see is our circumstances in front of us.

In Isaiah 9:6-7, the prophet Isaiah broadens our view of the Messiah: “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. Of the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness, from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

Consider the key words “to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” Even though these events took place thousands of years ago (in Isaiah and the gospels) when a person or nation comes in contact with the Lord, that person is the recipient for the first time of a wonderful gift. A Son is given. It’s real. It’s not fake. It’s not far out.  He is “God with us” and able to strengthen us, help us, guide us, meet our needs, and do day-to-day life with us. He shows us secrets about ourselves and counsels and guides us in our heartaches and struggles. He is all-powerful and Mighty and able to do what we can’t even comprehend. He is Prince of Peace, and able to give us supernatural peace in times of uncertainty and trials.

This is Immanuel, “God with us.” Isaiah’s Christmas prophecy promises hope through the promise of a child to be born. God chose to come into the world uniquely and humbly. Jesus was not what people anticipated. Many questioned Him. Many whispered about Him. Many rejected Him. Many turned their backs on Him.

Jesus didn’t fit the picture of who people thought He would be. Because of that people rejected Him. People still reject Him today. When God doesn’t do what we think He should do OR when He didn’t do what we thought He should have done, we reject Him too. 

Will you let go of the way you want Jesus to be? Will you ponder these words in Isaiah 9:6-7 and ask God to reveal Himself to You in a new way?  Will you let go of your expectations and demands of God? Will you invite God into your Christmas this year and ask Him to be real to You?

Take a listen: Emmanuel God With Us (Chris Tomlin) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt_xfOutfSQ

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.