By now (especially, if you have kids), a search expedition to locate whatever gifts you’ve tucked away in the secret drawers and hidden closets is being contemplated by their eager eyes and curious minds. As we age, our role reverses from seeking hidden good things to hiding good things. We want the “reveal” to be something truly special. So, we work hard to outsmart the would-be searchers. Then, at Christmas, we’ll get out our cameras and record whatever moment we had hoped to see unfolding before us as gifts and gift-givers celebrate.

In most cases, the one receiving gifts knows at least vaguely what they’re looking for, they just don’t know where to find it.

This is essentially the story of people in the world. We can assume, with a fair degree of confidence, that most people are searching for the same things. Nearly everyone can point to the necessity of meaningful connections with others, the value in making some kind of contribution in the world, seeking change, and identifying personal value. What separates people is how those things are discovered.

For those who made their way to the manger at Christmas, they seemed to understand that the one thing they were looking for was hidden in a place and wrapped in a package that was far different than anyone had imagined it would be. But they knew upon seeing Jesus,  they had found that thing they had hoped to find — what their souls were seeking. While there wasn’t a new YouTube worthy kid-freaking-out-over-cool-present-reaction, the shepherds, the wise men, Mary, and Joseph celebrated that in some way this baby was the gift for which the world was longing.

Who are those people in your life who are actively, albeit haphazardly or even irresponsibly, searching for their soul’s deepest longing in places that cannot provide what their hearts truly require? Perhaps, this is the year you invite them to join you at Christmas. Consider that the greater offense is always in the not-asking someone to join you than in the asking. People want to be wanted — to be included and invited —  even if they can’t make it.

Merry Christmas,

Jeff