Last night my husband and I went to donate blood for the last time this year.  I was reminded that during this season we assosiate with bells and whistles, brimming fridges, full houses, parties and excess there will be people who suffer.  Christmas is not only the season of gifts and glitter, but for many also the season where loneliness, hopelessness and despair is more pronounced.  Suicide rates go up, so does domestic violence, abuse and trauma.

Yesterday, with the rest of Australia and probably most of the world, I watched a family and a community bury a much loved son.  I found the sight of a father carrying his son’s coffin on his shoulder profoundly disturbing.  It seemed so WRONG.  And while the world mourned one son, many unknown families all over the world are bury their sons and daughters, mothers and fathers.  Many will face Christmas alone, without loved ones for the first time.  So many wives and children are already bracing themselves for the days ahead, when dads are home, with time on their hands and bottles to empty.   Many will give up hope…

So many people do not know that “For 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.” (Isaiah 9:6) They look to Santa and his bag for some happiness and to a bottle for some peace, but soon those brand new toys will loose it shine.

Now before I begin to sound too morbid, I do have a Christmas “wishlist”, which I will submit in prayer to the One who can actually make all my dreams come true.

This Christmas I hope for the gift of contentment…that no matter where I find myself, I would enjoy the here and now.  I want the gift of peace, which only comes with more of Jesus in my life.  I want a double dose of the gift of faith – next year is going to be BIG and I will need all the help I can get. I hope there will be a new set of glasses, so I can see as my Lord sees…past the flaws and the shortcomings, to the broken heart inside.

I would love a greater measure of the Spirit, so that I can carry more of His light, power and glory into the darkness around me.  I ask for the gift of time…I know my days have been numbered before I was born and there are so many people who yet need to see Jesus in me.

As I wrap this up for 2014, I would like to wish you a very blessed and happy Christmas, filled with the wonder of Him.  May you too find the same gifts that I want, overflowing for you.  May you receive His heart, His eyes, His ears and the determination to be His hands and feet during this season.  May you see the lonely, the lost, the broken and may you be their best Christmas present this year.