All I want for Christmas

A couple of weeks ago work took me to a primary school. During their assembly the children prayed, and enthusiastically sang a carol. Then, to march them out of the hall, the headteacher put on something up-tempo. Sorry, Sister, she called out cheerily, this song isn't religious! I smiled and held out my hands, indicating no worries: but then, as the song started, and I heard the opening lines, I thought Not religious?? But here are words and sentiments any of us would want to sing to Jesus...!

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you...*

That was two weeks ago, but the tune still swirls around my head, along with several other Christmassy songs, and various carols. All I want for Christmas is youuuu... And as I type this I can see a few brightly-wrapped packages with my name on them, near my softly glowing crib. The gifts were given with love, and received with gratitude, and expectancy. I'm looking forward to discovering their contents... to reading the book I know one of them contains... but they are not my Christmas longing. Really, fundamentally, all I want for Christmas, Jesus, is you. Although, of course, I don't have to wait until tomorrow: you are our Emmanuel, our God-with-and-within-us; always and already here, among us, even as I yearn for your greater coming into my heart. 

So, all I want for Christmas is an increase and a deepening of Christ's life and tender, unbounded loving in me: and, of course, the gifts I know he will bring, for our world, and for me. Gifts to be nurtured, and to be shared. Grace and mercy, and the gifts of Advent, for which I have prayed each week: hope in darkness; faith in uncertainty; joy in God's presence; inner peace... and Love, always and ever Love; the greatest gift, the source of every other gift, whose advent we will celebrate tonight.

O Jesus, make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you...

Happy Christmas, everyone! May your wish come true, and all you want for Christmas be yours...

* From All I Want for Christmas is You, by Mariah Carey