I wish you peace.
I often speak about my father as if he were the best dad a girl could ever have. However, as he approached the end of his life, his faith and integrity pointed to and proved, there’s only one perfect Father who deserves such glory: the maker of heaven and earth; everlasting faithful one; strength and peace wrapped up in truth and gentleness…not flesh and bone, or ribbon and bows. The best gift I ever received is also my Christmas wish for you this year.
I wish you Jesus.
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV
I wish you joy
The biblical definition of joy says it’s a feeling of good pleasure and happiness that’s dependent on who Jesus is rather than on who we are or what is happening around us. I believe joy comes from the Holy Spirit, God’s presence, and God’s Word.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13 ESV
I wish you love
My dad and mom lived the faith I have today. They loved the outdoors and looked for joy above family trials or heartaches they endured. They chose to breathe deeply and share the truth of that breath with their children: We can endure all things in the strength of our heavenly Father’s love.
Although my father’s hands were rough and calloused, I’d often see my mother pour drops of olive oil over his palms or smear cocoa butter around his fingers and cuticles. Unsightly as they were, she tended to them as one might manicure a magnificent garden. She’d say, “Your father’s hands are strong enough to fight off a bear—if need be–yet every time he touches my arm or kisses the boo-boos on your sister’s finger or your knee, I’m reminded, they’re gentle too.”
This Christmas and always, I wish you Jesus…
Over the years, their faith led me to believe in God’s unwavering promises and his Son Jesus’ healing touch. Life is an everlasting gift, but the magnitude of the gift? Wow. I’ve tried to imagine our heavenly Father’s hands. Knowing there will never be an accurate earthly comparison, I still envision mountain peaks, huge oak trees with twisted branches, or tremendous waves jutting out from the sea. Oh, how he loves you and me.
Merry Christmas friends
God is always faithful. He sent his Son to be born in a lowly manger to carry the sins of the world on his shoulders so we might live. Jesus is the hope of the world. This year and always, the best gift I ever received is my Christmas wish for you. He is more than we can ever ask for or imagine—much more than what we think Christmas should be. So what if we let it be for God’s glory that we might run faster indeed, toward this hope we have in Jesus—the greatest gift worth sharing?
Above Love, joy, or peace on earth and goodwill toward man, if I could have one wish come true this Christmas season, without a doubt, I’d wish you Jesus.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11 ESV
Don’t forget to join the conversation here in the Inspire A Fire comments section of this post. I’d love to hear your thoughts and stories. May the assurance of God’s presence be with you, blessing you on all your holiday adventures.
~ JC
Special thanks to PIXABAY for use of all free images Feature image by Jill Wellington, #1: Gerd Altmann (geralt), #2: Pexels, #3: pholies
