Recently I visited my niece in Miami, Florida. We attended church Sunday morning with her husband and her two and a half year old daughter, Victoria. It was a wonderful service and wonderful time. Afterwards, we stopped to partake of the festivities including photo ops throughout the church.
After lunch, we went to her sister-in-law's house to visit a brand new baby and to take more photos, this time for the family Christmas card. Of course, you know that when you have a plan, if a child is involved, it may not come to be. Victoria was suddenly taken by the Christmas tree but more distracted by a baby in a cradle lying under the Christmas tree. She picked it up and was quickly told that it was baby Jesus. We also learned that it had been in the family for many, many years and had been passed down to my niece's brother-in-law.
In order to protect the precious heirloom, we attempted to take it from Victoria to no avail. She immediately began saying "I want Jesus, I want Jesus!" We would of course return it to her to calm the shouts but we found ourselves delicately following her around so that she would not drop it. When the time came for the family to pose for the Christmas picture, momma told Victoria that she would have to put Jesus down. "No momma, I want Jesus-I want Jesus!"
Daddy took his turn again, with no success. Brother-in-law explained that it was fragile and that it was old and that it was special but Victoria kept insisting "I want Jesus." Just about that time, our greatest fear came true. Victoria got off her chair and ran to another room clutching her Jesus.
We finally took Jesus from Victoria and with large tears and a sorrowful voice she cried "I waaaaaaaant Jesus." The only way to pacify her was to give her Jesus. Of course by now with the crooked bow and red eyes, there was no chance of taking a photo and the Christmas cards would just be late. However, there was no greater joy than watching Victoria's desire to hold Jesus. Watching her adore the Jesus triggered a thought...what if we wanted Jesus as much as Victoria wanted him.
We often pass through trials, failures, challenges and yet we don't hold on to Jesus. We don't cry out for him, we don't long to just sit and spend time with him. Jesus said "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" [Matthew 19:14]. I was learning a great lesson from Victoria. I wanted Jesus as much as Victoria did. I longed to be with him and talk to him and spend time with him. The difference was that we were all trying to prevent Victoria from doing that. The only one stopping me is me.
So this week, as you travel to your days counting down the days of celebrating our Savior's birth, I pray that you too will say "I want Jesus."
Oh God, you are my God, earnestly I will seek you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalms 63:1
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