December 12, 2025 - What Do You Want for Christmas?

 What Do You Want for Christmas?

By Donna Taylor

Friday, December 12, 2025

Isn't it interesting to think back through the years about the different answers we have given this question. What are some of your favorite memories? As Christmas approaches this year I am spending a little quiet time remembering, reflecting, recording some of mine.

As a child growing up on a farm in northeast Missouri in the 50s, the Sears and Montgomery Wards catalogs were my wish books. From them, I remember picking out dolls, toy dishes, books, new pajamas. One year, after I learned that the beautiful china-looking dishes broke rather easily when we used them outdoors making mud tea and mud pies, I asked for a metal set of dishes the next year. When I was 11, the “big” item on my Christmas list was a camera, and I got it! It was a black Kodak box camera. I was so proud of it, felt so grown-up with it and used it for years.

Two of my teen Christmases are particularly memorable for me. When I was 13, I was so excited to receive a large, beautiful blue bottle of Evening in Paris perfume. That is, until my younger sisters, Patricia and Nancy, without my knowledge, opened the bottle and spilled much of the contents on my bed! Phew!! The pungent smell of the perfume went from fragrance to odor. On a happier note, the Christmas I was 16 I really wanted some jewelry. That was the year Mom and Dad gave me a single pearl on a gold-colored chain. The chain did not withstand wear through the years, but the pearl continues to shine with beauty.

Ever present in my Christmas memories is the Christmas I spoiled for myself. I'm not sure of my age, probably 7 or 8. The family was loaded into the car ready to drive to church to practice for the Christmas service. Mom realized she had forgotten her Bible and asked me to go get it from her dresser drawer. When I found the Bible, I saw a folded piece of paper in it. I unfolded the paper and there were lists of gifts for all four of us kids and Dad. I read the list of my gifts. There, at the top, was what I wanted: Betty the Beautiful Bride. It was a 3-foot tall doll with real hair, eyes that opened and closed, wearing a lovely bridal dress. I refolded the paper, replaced it, ran the Bible out to Mom and never said a word about what I had done. While I was happy to receive my gift Christmas morning, I had to pretend I was surprised. It was disappointing to me to not have a surprise. Also, I didn't feel right pretending to feel something that wasn't true for me.

In my adult years, two very different happy Christmas memories stand out for me. As already mentioned, I like to be surprised. I don't want to know exactly what gift I will receive Christmas morning. With this in mind, when Terry asked me what I wanted the first Christmas we were married, poor as we were, I went to Target and wrote down the names of eight or nine bath products. My thinking was that I would have the surprise of not knowing which item he would choose for me. Well, Christmas morning I was indeed surprised. Terry bought every item on my list, wrapping each one as best he could. Years later, when our children, Tad and Jenny, were 16 and 9 years old, due to the accumulation of family Christmas traditions, church responsibilities and activities and professional work/commitments, I was functioning but exhausted. The day before Christmas Terry organized the kids, packed our bags, loaded the Suburban with ALL the Christmas gifts and a few decorations the kids chose. He drove us to South Padre, Texas, where we celebrated Christmas at and on the white sand beach.

This will be my third Christmas without Terry, as he died in 2022. I am so thankful for the 48 years we shared together. Through successes and failures I learned so much about love, forgiveness and joy I can testify to the fact that God's love is boundless, endless, unconditional, available if we only ask. Last year I spent the Christmas holidays with my son and his family in Austin, Texas. This year I will enjoy Christmas brunch with my daughter, her family and my fiancé.

Yes, this year I will enjoy Christmas with my fiancé, Russ Ingraham. As Russ and I celebrate the birth of Jesus, we will rejoice in God's love to us and for us in this season of our lives. New memories will be made, added to the precious ones of years past. Through the years I can see how my wants have moved from earthly things more to God's gifts of love, peace, joy and hope, all found in Jesus whose birth we celebrate at Christmas.
So, what do you want for Christmas this year? What memories will you make?

Holy Spirit, awaken us to the greatest Christmas gift of all: Jesus. Whatever our circumstance, rich or poor, in good health or poor health, lonely or overwhelmed, flood our hearts and minds with all the love, peace, joy and hope Jesus brings into our world. It's real! It's coming! Don't miss it! Thank you, God. Amen