It happens every time I get within the vicinity of a group of people mozying on over in single file. They could be pushing a cart at the grocer’s or driving a car, heading to the nearest exit. On a Saturday night, excited fans huddle up in clumps, excitedly talking up the latest blockbuster flick.

Adrenaline starts pumping through my veins and I can’t hold a conversation very well. As much as I tell myself It doesn’t matter, my steps start picking up the pace and I try to zoom directly in … to be first in line.  As much as I can.

I can’t tell you why I do it.  Maybe I was just born that way.  Don’t get me wrong.  There’s a time and a place for slowing down and sucking the nectar out of life.  But, there’s something about lining up that makes me a tad rabid (This is one of the reasons why I do not like to shop on the weekends.  As for last minute holiday shopping?  I’d hyperventilate if I attempted it.)

My competitive queuing streak doesn’t come to a halt at Christmas either.

With so much talk around Christmas time about the importance of giving — I get a bit contrarian.

A Priority to Receive

Receiving is my priority at Christmas time.

Oh, yeah.  Advent provides the perfect atmosphere to get in line to receive: waiting.

Crawling into His lap, I speak my mind:

I want something new for the coming year, God.  Make Christmas new again for me, will You?

This year, I have my heart set on new joy —

I’m looking for joy that I hadn’t thought possible, the kind that says You are living in me.

I want to glow inside, like the beautiful star on top of the tree, contagious to others, drawn to you.

I want to laugh like a well-loved child, confident of Your favor, free to be daring.

I want the Gift of You.

And I wait.  Every year, I ask for something just for me.  Each time, God delivers.  Finding where He leaves His gift is half the fun.  I can never tell where it might be hidden or when I’ll come upon it — but, I always keep my eyes and ears open.

I’m not the only one who gets crazy over the idea of receiving.

The #1 Most-Read Bible Verse

The Bible Gateway website published the 100 Most-Read Bible Verses.  Out of 25 million Bible passage searches made on their site (in just two months), what do you think was the #1 Bible verse?

John 3:16.  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

(I guessed the 1 Corinthians 13 Love passage, which was close, but no cigar.)

Returning To Receive

Why shouldn’t we run first in line to receive from the most generous, Ultimate Gift Giver?
Ahead of all the wonderful ways of giving, I return to my first Christmas:  receiving from Christ.

Jesus Himself backs up the Principle of Receiving First.

“Freely you received, freely give.”  Matthew 10:8

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  Romans 8:32

What do you say?  What are you longing for this Christmas?
Let’s be first in line!  Seriously.  I’ll even save your place!

“So I say to you:

Ask and it will be given to you;

Seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives.”  ~ Jesus (Luke 11:9-10)