Black Friday! The busiest shopping day of the year! Crowded malls and big sales! Long lines and exhausted stores clerks. It’s become part of the American culture and I was in the middle of it this past Friday.

My family had celebrated Thanksgiving at the beach. Turkey, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, pumpkin pie, and the other usual dishes. That afternoon we saw a movie…the girls decided which movie.

But bright and early Friday morning we joined with millions of our fellow Americans and headed to the mall. With lists in hand, we bravely marched into the land of early bird specials and door busters. I purchased three pair of jeans for the price of one…a size smaller than my current jeans due to having lost weight. Needless to say our van carried more inventory on our return to Rock Hill than it had carried earlier in the week as we made our way to the Grand Strand.

We all have our lists. You know which lists I’m talking about. The list of names (relatives, coworkers, school teachers, etc) that we’ve decided will receive a Christmas gift from us. The list of things our kids and loved ones want for Christmas. Maybe a list of what we hope others will get us for Christmas. If you’re like, even a list of what you’re going to get for yourself. I could go on, but you get the idea.

Each Sunday in December I’m going to preach about a Christmas list. But instead of a list any of us wrote, it is one God wrote. It’s the list of what God wants for Christmas. If you’re not sure what’s on His list, you can find out Sunday at either 9:10 or 10:30 am. You might be surprised at what He wrote on His Christmas list.

Pastor Steve Hogg

PS Invite a friend to come to church with you. They might enjoy learning about what God wants as much as you will.