Christmas List Season

Have you ever set your heart on something?

It’s Christmas list season and I am trying to find out what my boys want. It was never a problem when they were younger when the Christmas lists started in July!

Last week, I wrote a talk about what God has set his heart on. I found myself suddenly remembering how as a child, I set my heart on having a hammock. Strange I know but I used to fall asleep working out where I would hang it in my room! I never got it and eventually moved on.

Deuteronomy 7:7 says that God has set his heart on us and he does not move on.

When I speak of that great love to different groups of people, I can see the thought bubbles above their heads “Surely not me! I know what I’m like, not holy enough, clever enough, special enough…”

The truth is that God doesn’t choose his people for how great they are. The next verse explains “It was because he loves you”. Just that.

He loves you with a promised, everlasting love.

We need this. Someone texted me after the talk to say, "I‘ve really missed being told about how much I'm loved by God. I'd forgotten... It's quite dangerous to not be told how loved we are. Thank-you for keeping me out of danger territory…"

I need to be kept out of danger territory too. I had a sledgehammer grief moment on Monday this week. They still happen sometimes, thankfully not all the time. I prayed with someone who had a picture for me; she didn't know that I had spoken for the first time ever at the weekend about wanting a hammock as a child! A wonderful picture of God's tender care for me.

As Advent begins, may you know that you are at the top of God’s Christmas list. He has set his heart on you.