What do you want for Christmas? That is a fairly common question during this time of year. I was on the receiving end of that question recently and all I could think about was a variety of songs. It is interesting how our minds work sometimes.
The first song that popped into my head was, “Nuttin’ For Christmas.” This Christmas song written by Sid Tepper and Roy C. Bennett became a hit during the 1955 Christmas season. I will admit that this song always caused a little concern for me in my younger years. Would I really get “Nuttin’ for Christmas”?
The next song that came to mind was, “All I Want For Christmas Is my Two Front Teeth.” This is a tune written by Don Gardner back in 1946. As I listen to the words of the song now I yearn for such simple times. As world problems mount and violence increases, it would be wonderful to enjoy the innocence of a simple request to have missing baby teeth replaced.
What do I want for Christmas? The list is quite long so get ready.
I want a world in which God is truly honored, worshipped, and adored. I want a world in which everyone who bears the name of “Christian” actually lives like they really believe that Jesus is the King of Kings. May we truly call God, “Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father Forever, Prince of Peace!”
(Isaiah 9:5)
I want a world in which the Church models holiness. This begins with the leadership and filters down to everyone in the pew. May each of us be witnesses to the love of Jesus Christ.
I want a world in which there is a genuine respect for all human life from conception through natural death. As long as we live in a world that is okay with exterminating millions of innocent children in the womb, we are destined for difficult times. The legalization of a behavior does not automatically make it moral. The taking of human life through abortion, euthanasia, or physician-assisted suicide is much more than a legal dilemma. It is a moral issue.
I want a world where human trafficking and sex slavery is nonexistent. People being used as objects and held against their will is devastating to the sacred dignity that each person holds as a child of God. I want them to be set free.
I want a world in which broken hearts can be mended. Relationships can bring immense joy. They can also bring heartache, anger, bitterness, and un-forgiveness. In this Year of Mercy I pray for reconciliation, healing, and comfort for as many individuals as possible.
I want a world which strives to lift people up out of poverty. I pray that we are more effective as a society in creating jobs to give people the opportunity for gainful employment. The creation of wealth through a vibrant economy has the potential to reduce poverty more effectively than the simple redistribution of wealth. I pray that entrepreneurs and corporations provide an abundance of opportunities for people to make a living wage.
I want those who are sick to be restored to health. Through the expert care of medical personnel and the guiding hand of the Divine Physician I pray that those who are hurting will be healed.
My last wishes for Christmas may need a miracle. I want a government that works. I would like elected officials that are willing to do the hard work necessary to strive for the common good of society. I would like officials with integrity. Furthermore, as government expands and bulges at the seams, I would like accountability factors put in place for all those employees who are not elected. As power is given more and more to political appointees rather than elected officials we run the risk of greater corruption.
I would like a media that shares the truth with us. We need more “hard news” and less commentary and opinion. Tell us the facts and let us interpret for ourselves what this means. If the press is not free to do its work, or if it is pushing its own agenda, it won’t be long and our country will no longer be free. The “free press” is one of the guarantees we have of holding our politicians accountable.
Finally, I would like an educational system that works. While we are stressing over standardized assessments and teaching to the tests, our students aren’t growing in love with learning. We seem to be okay with indoctrinating them in regard to what they should think rather than teaching them to think. I yearn for a system where we really help them to be successful. Teach them about leadership and integrity so they can excel in whatever field of study they choose. Stop accepting mediocrity.
What do I want for Christmas? I want a world that embraces common sense. Is that too much to ask?
The first song that popped into my head was, “Nuttin’ For Christmas.” This Christmas song written by Sid Tepper and Roy C. Bennett became a hit during the 1955 Christmas season. I will admit that this song always caused a little concern for me in my younger years. Would I really get “Nuttin’ for Christmas”?
The next song that came to mind was, “All I Want For Christmas Is my Two Front Teeth.” This is a tune written by Don Gardner back in 1946. As I listen to the words of the song now I yearn for such simple times. As world problems mount and violence increases, it would be wonderful to enjoy the innocence of a simple request to have missing baby teeth replaced.
What do I want for Christmas? The list is quite long so get ready.
I want a world in which God is truly honored, worshipped, and adored. I want a world in which everyone who bears the name of “Christian” actually lives like they really believe that Jesus is the King of Kings. May we truly call God, “Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father Forever, Prince of Peace!”
(Isaiah 9:5)
I want a world in which the Church models holiness. This begins with the leadership and filters down to everyone in the pew. May each of us be witnesses to the love of Jesus Christ.
I want a world in which there is a genuine respect for all human life from conception through natural death. As long as we live in a world that is okay with exterminating millions of innocent children in the womb, we are destined for difficult times. The legalization of a behavior does not automatically make it moral. The taking of human life through abortion, euthanasia, or physician-assisted suicide is much more than a legal dilemma. It is a moral issue.
I want a world where human trafficking and sex slavery is nonexistent. People being used as objects and held against their will is devastating to the sacred dignity that each person holds as a child of God. I want them to be set free.
I want a world in which broken hearts can be mended. Relationships can bring immense joy. They can also bring heartache, anger, bitterness, and un-forgiveness. In this Year of Mercy I pray for reconciliation, healing, and comfort for as many individuals as possible.
I want a world which strives to lift people up out of poverty. I pray that we are more effective as a society in creating jobs to give people the opportunity for gainful employment. The creation of wealth through a vibrant economy has the potential to reduce poverty more effectively than the simple redistribution of wealth. I pray that entrepreneurs and corporations provide an abundance of opportunities for people to make a living wage.
I want those who are sick to be restored to health. Through the expert care of medical personnel and the guiding hand of the Divine Physician I pray that those who are hurting will be healed.
My last wishes for Christmas may need a miracle. I want a government that works. I would like elected officials that are willing to do the hard work necessary to strive for the common good of society. I would like officials with integrity. Furthermore, as government expands and bulges at the seams, I would like accountability factors put in place for all those employees who are not elected. As power is given more and more to political appointees rather than elected officials we run the risk of greater corruption.
I would like a media that shares the truth with us. We need more “hard news” and less commentary and opinion. Tell us the facts and let us interpret for ourselves what this means. If the press is not free to do its work, or if it is pushing its own agenda, it won’t be long and our country will no longer be free. The “free press” is one of the guarantees we have of holding our politicians accountable.
Finally, I would like an educational system that works. While we are stressing over standardized assessments and teaching to the tests, our students aren’t growing in love with learning. We seem to be okay with indoctrinating them in regard to what they should think rather than teaching them to think. I yearn for a system where we really help them to be successful. Teach them about leadership and integrity so they can excel in whatever field of study they choose. Stop accepting mediocrity.
What do I want for Christmas? I want a world that embraces common sense. Is that too much to ask?
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