Grown Up Christmas List

In our house, just after Thanksgiving, Christmas music is just about all we listen to.  One of the many songs I look forward to hearing is Amy Grant singing “Grown Up Christmas List.” 

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
Everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end
This is my grown-up Christmas list

2017 has been a year of almost unimaginable natural disasters.[1]  Tornadoes, floods, drought, hurricanes – even now, wildfires are destroying vegetation, businesses, homes and lives in California. 

There is nothing we can do about the forces of nature.  We can, perhaps, mitigate, but it is foolishness and hubris to believe we can control nature.

But there are things we CAN control.  We can respect our fellow citizens of this world.  We can love, instead of hate.  We can prevent wars – yes, we can. 

“Right would always win.”  That seems a bit surreal these days, even as a wish or hope.  But, right can win.  We can make it win.

There is a story about a good person who died and went to heaven.  She is greeted by the Almighty and welcomed home.  This good person said to God, “Lord, you are all Good and all Powerful.  You have made a wonderful place for your creatures to dwell.  But, may I be so bold as to ask you a question?”

“You may,” replied God.

“My Lord, there is so much good and beauty in the world, but also so much hate.  People You made in  Your Image and Likeness kill each other and hate each other and hurt each other.  So, my bold question is this:  Why don’t you do something to stop the hate?”

God looked at this good soul with love, smiled and said, “I did.  I sent you.”

At a retreat several years ago, the leader reflected on John 1:6:  There was a man sent from God whose name was John.  The leader asked us to change the name.  For me, it was “There was a man sent from God whose name was Tom.”

Our grown-up Christmas list is a good start for us to make straight the path. 

After all, if not me, who?

To hear Amy Grant perform this song, click here. 

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[1] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/2017-track-record-setting-year-massive-natural-disasters-u-s