One of the great lessons we teach our children at Christmas time, is about... asking! I know, you were expecting me to say "giving", right? Well, from a child's perspective, its all about asking.
Our youngest son, Hunter, gave us a Christmas list when he was smaller, and we were very happy when we were able to fill his little list. But then, on Christmas morning, after he had opened everything, he looked sad. We pressed him until he finally told us he had actually prepared two lists. He kept the second one hidden. He said, "If Santa were real, he would know what I had asked for on the other list!"
Score one for Hunter's scientific approach.
We used it as a teachable moment to have the whole "Santa" discussion with him. We told him about how much we love him, and how we want him to be taken care of, and to find enjoyment in the things we are able to give him. And yes, Renee and I learned our lesson, as well!
Even if we don't always get it right as a parent, we cannot escape the fact that this is one time of the year when there is a whole lot of asking going on! As I was reading John, chapter six, the other day, I was overwhelmed by how much this passage has to teach us, concerning the subject of asking. Its the very familiar story of Jesus feeding the 5,000, with just 5 loaves and two fish. As I read through it again, I was impressed by one key thing. Jesus teaches us to ask God to meet our needs!
To focus the disciple's attention, Jesus asks Philip where they could go and buy food for all of the people. Philip had been with Jesus long enough that he should have turned and said, "Master, I have yet to see a need you cannot meet. Please show us how you will fill all of these people." He should have asked for Jesus to be Jesus.
Instead, Philip went scientific, and calculated the minimal amount of money needed to buy the minimal amount of food. After being presented with the little boy's fish, Jesus pauses to thank the Father, then passes out enough food so that the people were full, and everyone could eat as much as they wanted.
What a miracle!
But then the epilogue. Jesus has the disciples gather the remaining fragments, so that, "nothing is wasted." When I saw that, I realized there could have been no miscalculation on Jesus part, concerning the amount of bread that had been passed out. In fact, with thousands of people spread out, Jesus knew in His Spirit there were uneaten fragments out among the people. He knew what each and every person needed, in order to become full.
I wonder if there were people in the crowd who had Philip's attitude, and had only eaten the minimum amount. Could it be, that while some had eaten until they were full, there were a few who grew anxious as to whether or not there was enough food to go around? Had they taken barely enough, when they should have held out their hand for more?
This Christmas, remember it is no accident that Jesus was born in "Bethlehem", which means, "House of Bread". God even put an exclamation point on the matter, when he provided a manger at the scene of the Nativity. A manger, simply put, is a feeding trough. In a world that is starving for purity and righteousness, and peace, God generously gives us Jesus! He is a buffet of grace.
What a great opportunity we have, to teach children how to ask God to meet their needs. No secret lists. No unfounded reservations. Just good old fashioned "asking" God to give! Its as simple as that.
