Well, I did it again.  You can put me in with those crazy people who get up after just a few hours of turkey induced sleep and did the whole Black Friday shopping thing with Jennifer.  I am proud to say that I did not get impatient with the lines- nor did I push anyone over trying to make sure that I got the item that I was after before they were sold out.   But no matter how calm I tried to be, I still couldn’t help but feeling a little frazzled.  This all got me to thinking, “What happened to the Sears Wish Book?  Do you remember those? 

The first Sears Wish Book was printed in 1933.  (I don’t remember that. I looked it up.)  Over time it has diminished in size and was even discontinued at one point.  It was revived in 2007, but the one you see today are nothing in size compared to the books I remember from my youth.  Children today don’t really need one.  They have the Internet and their high tech toys to cruise the information highway to identify their holiday “wants.”  But “back in the day” the Sears Wish Book helped us answer the seasonal question: “If you could have anything for Christmas, what would you ask for?” 

Every year my brother and I would look through the catalogue and either dog-ear a page or circle our choices in pen.  We didn’t want Santa to miss our requests. 

You may not need the Sears Wish Book today, but you have some wishes too, don’t you?  This Christmas how would you answer the question, “If you could have one thing in the world, what would it be?” 

Solomon had to answer that one.  He asked for wisdom.  And God gave it to him.  But by the end of his life he had accumulated more and more: more gold, more horses, more wives.  He had it all and wanted more.  In the midst of all these gifts he lost sight of the Giver.  He began to treasure the gifts more than the giver.  Solomon turned away from God and lost it all. 

Another King gave us another path to follow.  He had it all and gave it all . . . for us.  In the Christmas season, or any season for that matter, you can guard yourself from the tyranny of too much stuff by giving.  Simply give so that others can simply live.   That’s what the King born as a baby in the manger did. 

And my wish?  That over the next few weeks you would visit the manger often and find in Jesus Christ your greatest treasure!  Hope to see you all Sunday! 

Pastor Matt

P.S.  If you missed last week’s sermon and would like to hear it, click here:  http://www.buzzsprout.com/3517/35979-11-20-2011-message