Washington Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president

Do you remember the old Christmas song called All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth?

It was a cute little song where a young person who had lost their two front teeth wishes for those same teeth for the simple reason of wanting to whistle. Some of you may even have started humming the song while reading this.

This is the time of year when people get asked that age old Christmas season question:

“What do you want for Christmas?”

Apparently, I am annoying to my children who ask me that every year, as I have a hard time coming up with something. It seems that the long wish list I used to have as a child and young person has now evolved into a list that really doesn’t involve much from the store or from Amazon. I find that as I age, I don’t need much.

I identify with a much more recent song titled My Grown-Up Christmas List. The lyrics state that

And the chorus states a short but profound Christmas list.

For a world in turmoil, this is truly a Christmas list that we need.

Prophecy states that our world will continue to be an increasingly sinful place. However, there are things that we can give to the world. We can live out the love of Christ, so that even in the midst of turmoil love doesn’t end. We can be a friend to those who are friendless and point them to the Best Friend of all.

Jesus came as a tiny baby to live among us, walk with us, experience all the challenges of this world, and, most of all, to provide a way of escape from the sinful world. So, as you think about the meaning of Christmas, and maybe even write out your own Christmas list, remember the words found in Isaiah 45:22

Put Jesus and His gift at the top of your list. Put the sharing of Jesus the top of your list. That is the best grown-up Christmas list and is much better than your two front teeth.