Your Wish List

Are you looking for peace? A perfect world? Freedom? Certainty? There’s One who can give you all of that and more. An invitation.

Christmas has come and gone, and with it the wishes it brought. You’ve given and received gifts, having had fun doing so. Adults and children alike wrote their wish lists, either on paper or just in their hearts.

Beginning around the 17th century, the custom of writing a wish list to the Christ Child arose in many parts of Europe. It’s interesting that wish lists were first associated with Christ, as if people suspect that only He can fulfill their truly deep-seated longings. And, it’s no exaggeration to say that Jesus is the greatest visitation to ever pass through our world.

When He was born, Luke 2:11 says, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

That’s what many people are wishing for: a savior. And God gives Him to us.
 
Wishing for peace?
Things were looking so good. Disarmament was taking place. People believed that humanitarian methods could bring things under control. We were wrapped in the warm blanket of an ideal world.

But reality caught up with us overnight. We were suddenly jerked out of our dream world, and we’re seeing, wide-eyed, how peaceless the world really is—how vulnerable, how cruel, how sinfully depraved.

We can instinctively tell that the peace is over. We haven’t been living in an ideal world for a long time, and this system’s anchors are no longer holding. Humanity is reaching the limits of its ability, and apocalyptic scenarios are emerging. Jesus prophesied in Luke 21:26, “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth…”

It’s often no different in our individual lives. We’re repeatedly disillusioned. There’s no peace in our marriages and families, no peace in neighborhoods and on the streets, no peace in our own hearts. Many are desperate and don’t know what to do. Can peace be found anywhere? Can anyone grant our wish for peace?

When Jesus Christ entered the world, angels appeared, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

It begins with the individual. Across history and across nations, people from all parts of society have opened themselves to Jesus and found peace and strength in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

And things won’t stay the same for the rest of the world, either. Jesus is returning, and will bring peace! The Almighty is the only One able to save the world, and He’s the only One able to save you.

The One who said, “Men’s hearts failing them for fear,” also continued to say, “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27).

When the Bible tells of a coming time when there will be worldwide peace through Jesus’ government, it’s not a fairy tale. Under His leadership, nations will no longer take up arms to resolve their conflicts. As truly as Jesus came to this earth once, it’s just as true that He’ll return.
 
Wishing for freedom from your fears?
When Jesus came to earth, Scripture also said, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy…” (Luke 2:10).

People are suffering from anxiety. Fear can be a signal that something’s wrong in our souls, that something essential is missing.

There are many types of fear: existential fear, fear of the future, fear of aging, fear of death, fear of what comes after death, fear of being discovered, fear of legal action, fear of breakups, fear of guilt. Who can take away my fear and give me security and comfort?

Jesus says, “Fear not: believe only” (Luke 8:50).

We experience fear in this world. The world frightens us because it’s unpredictable. But Jesus gives security. He says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
 
Wishing for freedom from a negative past?
When the Son of God was born, He was to be called Jesus, and with good reason: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matt 1:21).

The name “Jesus” means, “The Lord is salvation.” And He can truly save. Save from a guilty conscience, from every misstep and mistake, from a wounded past, from all mental suffering. He can give new life.

On the Cross, Jesus took the blame for every human being and paid it in full. He rose from the dead and is alive. Those who believe in Jesus will no longer be judged. It’s worth calling upon Him in prayer.
 
Wishing for certainty about earthly reality?
Nobody can live without hope, but where does it come from? No earthly institution, no matter how good, can offer such hope for the world as the Gospel of Jesus, because it’s substantiated by His resurrection.

Jesus—who says that He Himself is the truth, and could never be accused of a lie—promises eternal, never-ending life in His presence to all who believe in Him.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24).

It can’t be said any more clearly. 

Are you wishing for peace? Jesus gives peace.

Are you wishing for a perfect world? It’s coming, through Jesus.

Are you wishing for freedom? Jesus gives freedom.

Are you wishing for certainty? Jesus will give that to you.

God wants to give you gifts, but gifts need to be accepted. Make your decision!

Midnight Call - 01/2025