“Why, anybody can have a brain. That's a very mediocre commodity. Every pusillanimous creature that crawls on the Earth or slinks through slimy seas has a brain. Back where I come from, we have universities, seats of great learning, where men go to become great thinkers. And when they come out, they think deep thoughts and with no more brains than you have. But they have one thing you haven't got: a diploma.”

--The Wizard of Oz to the Scarecrow


"I know I chatter on far too much...but if you only knew how many things I want to say and don't. Give me SOME credit." --Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables, PBS, 1985

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

My Grown Up Christmas List

About a week my husband’s cousin had a Facebook status that I really liked. It went like this:

Every Christmas you always hear people saying they want and bought. Well this is what I want: I want people who are sick with no cure, to be cured. I want children with no families, to be adopted; I want people to never have to worry about food and shelter & heat. Now, lets see how many people re-post this who actually care.... I have a feeling I am gonna see almost no re-posts. Then again I have faith in people…

I’m not sure the post originated with her, but I wouldn’t be surprised—she has that kind of heart. The statement reminded me of one of my favorite secular Christmas songs. My favorite artist is Amy Grant, but it has been repeated by Kelly Clarkson, Michael Buble, Monica, and even Aretha Franklin recorded it in 2007 on her This Christmas album. It’s called “My Grown Up Christmas List,” and here are the lyrics:

Do you remember me
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
Well I'm all grown up now
And still need help somehow
I'm not a child
But my heart still can dream

So here's my lifelong wish
My grown up Christmas list
Not for myself
But for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end ooh
This is my grown up Christmas list

As children we believe
The grandest sight to see
Was something lovely
Wrapped beneath the tree
But heaven only knows
That packages and bows
Can never heal a heartached human soul

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end no
This is my grown up Christmas list

What is this illusion called the innocence of youth
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth

No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
Everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end

This is my grown up Christmas list
This is my only lifelong wish
This is my grown up Christmas list...

I guess I’m just hoping that people who are grown up now realize that they aren’t sitting on Santa’s knee wishing for things anymore. They are grown up, responsible citizens, responsible to God, living in His kingdom, and part of His redemption plan. It’s our responsibility as His children to bring help, healing, truth and love to the world. Johnny’s cousin, Laura, is certainly doing her part in the arena of the hurting, those who need help transitioning into society from life's hard situations. May we all open our eyes more to the needs around us. There are many.



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