Like it or not, the season is once again upon us of gift giving and wish-list making. Christmas gift giving and all the expectations that come along with it are an ever increasing part of the holiday season. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, sibling, or anything in between, you’ve likely received a holiday wish list or perhaps even created one for yourself.  

This year one of our daughters presented her Christmas list to us rather early and with great excitement. As she placed it down in front of me and began to explain why she needed each item in great detail, I began to feel very conflicted. You see, this year I didn’t want her list. In fact, not only did I not want her list, but my husband and I already had in mind exactly what we were planning to purchase and none of her must-have items made the cut. After listening to what felt more like a powerpoint presentation than a wish list, I gently told her I wouldn't be needing a list this year and she not so gently told me I had lost my mind and if that was the case, she would settle for cash instead.  

As she stormed away in a dark cloud, I sat there dumbfounded and began to reflect on what had just occurred. I began to feel angry and frustrated. After all, a gift was a gift, not an I-owe-you. Who did she think she was coming to me with a specific list of not suggestions or ideas, but demands? If only she would stop to realize that perhaps her parents, who know her very well and want to give her good gifts, knew the perfect gift for this year! In the moment of this thought, I stopped short. This was sounding all too familiar. How often do I do this exact thing with God, my Father?  

How often do I come to Him with a list of expectations of what I think is best for me? A list of what I need and how I need it done? How often are the demands on my timeline, and I am sure that my way is the best way and that nothing else could be better? I do not want to be surprised. I want to know what I am getting, and I feel entitled on many levels to whatever it is I am asking Him for. After all, I know best what I need, right? I am my teenage daughter handing my very specific list to my heavenly Father, and when He says, “no, I have something else in mind for you” I, like my daughter, throw a toddler sized fit.  

The truth is that God knows and loves each of us deeply and He has good gifts for each of us. He knows what, when, and how we need certain gifts in specific seasons. Sometimes the lists we hand Him fall short of what He has in mind for us. He wants to surprise us with something far richer because He delights in us as His Child. He is a good Father who gives good gifts. Perhaps in this Christmas season we need to remember who He is and rest in Him with open hands and open hearts.  

James 1:17 says “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”  

Matthew 7:11 says “ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”