During this time of the year one of the most often asked questions is, “What do you want for Christmas?” Retailers depend upon the answer to that question involving the expenditure of

large sums of money. Most, it seems, have wish lists that include items from toys for children to electronic “toys” for adults.

I overheard a conversation a few weeks ago in

which a mother was concerned that she somehow find out what her children wanted this year, because they would only tell Santa Claus what they wanted. Last year she had guessed

incorrectly and she did not want to make the same mistake again.

When thinking about the question, “What do you want for Christmas?” how often do you stop and think about those who do not have and never could afford such luxuries as you may be dreaming of.

There may even be those who appease their indulgences during this season of the year by buying a gift for the “less fortunate” or making a donation to the Christmas hamper program or food bank.

These are certainly important causes that need our support, but it needs to be more than just a quickly passing impulse response or a gift made for appeasement.

What is the real focus of our life? How do we respond to the heart-felt needs of others, even within our own families?

A recent study done for the 2006 Christmas season found of the 50 per cent of the people who would spend time with their family over the Christmas holidays, onethird will wish they had not bothered. Life for a variety of r e a s o n s j u s t would not live up to expectations or the relational dysfunction would be more than the effort was worth.

Where is your focus right now?

Is it on what you will get or on what you will give?

Have you ever thought of giving character gifts that would carry on through the y e a r ? S i m p l e gifts like love, joy, p e a c e , patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gent l e n e s s and selfcontrol.

In your efforts to demonstrate these gifts to others on an ongoing basis you would find that not only would others benefit but you would also.

Your relationship with God would become stronger. You would need His constant help to succeed in giving these gifts that keep on giving.

I suspect that the recipients of these gifts would probably appreciate them more than those things which soon are broken or discarded for whatever the next and best public release might be.

“What do you want for Christmas?” Perhaps a more important question might be, “What are you prepared to give this Christmas?”