Which child doesn’t make a list for Santa Claus?  Everyone has a list of things that they would like.  A doll, a toy truck, the newest game or music system.  For adults: a better job, more money, more time.

And almost inevitably, everyone is dissappointed.

The doll isn’t the one that we want.  The truck isn’t the right color.  The gaming system isn’t the exact right one or didn’t come with the games that were wanted.  The music system doesn’t run the right files.  The money fails to satisfy.  The extra time still doesn’t help us get caught up.

We can understand how those people on that first Christmas felt!

They were expecting a powerful king to be born.  The King of the Jews.  The man that would free them from Roman oppression.  The man that would lead the people of God onto victory.

They got a baby in a manger born to strangers in the city of Bethlehem.  They were heralded by shepards – the lowest of society.  This was certianly not on the list.

The wonderful thing about a gift is the surprise – and the fact that the gift is given freely.

As it turns out, the little child was the most powerful King ever born.  The little child would free the world of an oppressing power more mighty then the Romans – the power of sin.  He would lead His people not to just victory, but the glories of heaven.

During this Christmas season, may we accept the gifts that we have been given, not for just what they appear, but for the potential that they have.