I know what you’re getting for Christmas this year. I have an “in.” And I know you are getting exactly what you want.

I know that the presents you are getting are really practical. You are going to find that they come in handy every day.

I also know your presents were really expensive. Whoever gave them to you must love you a lot.

And your gifts are pretty personal. The person who bought you these presents must be in your head, must know you really, really well.

Yep. I know what you’re getting for Christmas, because I also know what you want for Christmas.

I know that you want some security this year. You want to know that there will be enough time and money. You want to know that whatever happens, you’re covered.

I know that you hope everything up in the air will fall down into place. You want the assurance that everything will work out, just the way it’s supposed to, even if you have no clue how that will happen.

I also know that your conscience has been bothering you. I know that you feel bad about some of the things that you’ve done over the years. I know you feel like you’ve missed some great opportunities and failed some of the most important people in your life. I know that you feel like you don’t measure up. I know you think you’ve messed up too much or that some parts of your life are just too screwed up for help.

I know that you are lonely sometimes. I know that you need someone to talk to, and you wish there was someone who “got” you more. I know you wish that someone would love you just the way you are.

I know that what you’ve really wanted this year is to feel like you matter. I know you want to feel important. I know you want what everyone else wants: acceptance, love, the assurance that you are “okay” just the way you are.

I can’t wait to tell you, so I’m just going to spoil the surprise. Don’t worry, I know Who’s buying the presents, and He really won’t care if I tell you early.

You’re getting it all. Everything you’ve ever really wanted. It’s all under the tree this year.

The thing is, it’s not really under the tree you’re thinking of. This tree isn’t festooned with lights or ornaments. It’s pretty simple, pretty rough. Just two branches, really, one crossed over the other, but it’s the most beautiful tree I have ever, ever seen.

On that tree, all your sins were taken away. All of them. They are gone. All your mistakes, missed opportunities, shameful thoughts, shortcomings, and times you’ve fallen short.

Because of that tree, you don’t have to be lonely any more. You don’t have to worry about what happens next, even if that’s death.

Because of that tree, you can be assured that you matter. You are loved, just the way you are.

Yep. Everything you want for Christmas is under that tree: peace, hope, forgiveness. The most practical, personal, expensive gifts you could ever hope for.

Someone must know you really well. Someone must love you a lot.

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”