What I Want for Christmas this year.

While mailing a package at the post office this week, I became keenly aware of someone staring at me. It was that uneasy feeling of being watched; you know what I mean. At first, I looked around quickly and didn’t see the little boy peering over the table where I worked to affix a label. Not able to shake the feeling, I took a slower scan around the room and realized that my gaze aimed too high, and I suddenly noticed two dark eyes staring a hole through me. I tried to smile with my eyes as the mask covered my smile and was fogging up my reading glasses! I wonder what little ones think these days as they try to figure out with mostly covered faces if others are friends or foes. We exchanged a couple of pleasantries while he was waiting on his grandmother and aunt. I then asked the question of the season, “What do you want for Christmas?”

[su_spacer]He nervously shifted his feet as he stood near his grandma and finally answered, “MONEY! I want money!” His grandmother burst into laughter and exclaimed, “There ya go! Your listening to your grandma!” I wondered at that moment what he really wanted to say but knew she was waiting for the answer she taught him to share.

My family has been asking me this year (as with every other year) what I want for Christmas. 2020 has been nothing like any of us could have ever imagined! (understatement of the year!) My wants this year are much different than any other year. What about you?

For some of us – this Christmas is full of unmet or unrealized dreams. It’s been a year of change and adjustments. A year full of uncertainty, fear, and anxiety. It quite possibly has been a season of great grief.

I haven’t had an answer for my family. At this writing, my oldest birth daughter and her husband are traveling to see us for a couple of days. The apartment is filled with the aroma of red beans and rice. Christmas music is playing, and I am wondering what Christmas movie we will watch this evening.

There is one word that keeps coming to mind when I think of what I want for Christmas!

Peace.

Not the fleeting emotion of the moment or the kind of peace offered in a frenzy, fearful, sinful world of today but this – Jesus said these words –

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (John 14:17 – NASB)

In John 14, Jesus is teaching and preparing them/us for what is to come. Jesus first comforts His disciples. He encourages them with the words of promise and declares, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” He then speaks of our oneness with the Father, and next, He teaches on the Holy Spirit’s role in our lives. He laid out the key to living in peace when the world around us doesn’t make sense. You and I are living in such a time—a time of preparation for what is to come. I don’t think it will get easier. If we take our eyes of the ONE – we will have no peace.

And this –

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3 – NLT)

Do you see it? In the midst of all, we can have peace. The peace that passes understanding as found in Philippians 4,

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, (understanding) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

So lets you and I

1.  Rejoice in the Lord – not in our circumstances
2.  Lay aside our worry and fear – despite what the news or others are reporting
3. Pray without ceasing and about everything – He knows and hears us.
4. Give thanks for and in all things – Look for Him in all circumstances and be thankful
5. Be present with the LORD continually.

Finally, Be still and ask Him to keep you focused!

He has got you – I promise but better, HE PROMISED.

So in this season of pain, anguish, fear, anxiety, grief, division, perversion, war, and absolute craziness, will you join me and seek the Prince of Peace?

I pray that you will.

I am praying for peace from the Prince of Peace over you!

DIANE NIX is the director and founder of Contagious Joy 4 Him, a network of encouragement to ministry wives around the globe. Offering “Free Refresh Retreats” and a safe place for ministry wives to share their hearts with other like-minded women. Thirty-six years ago, she married her husband, pastor/professor, Dr. Preston Nix. He is professor of evangelism and evangelistic preaching at NOBTS. They have two biological daughters, two spiritual-grown daughters, two special grands, and two son’s in-laws.

 

Growing up, Diane’s life was marked by addiction, abuse, loss and dysfunction. She remembers being drawn to spiritual things. Searching for the One who could bring peace, she found her Savior, Jesus Christ! And soon after her salvation, she surrendered to ministry.  She has never looked back!

 

Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @nixheart and on her ministry Facebook: contagiousjoy4him.com, Instagram & Twitter: @contagiousjoy4him or cj4h.org