Facebook Twitter

Church of St. Mary at Clinton Heights

Menu
  • Home
  • Sacraments
    • Baptism
    • Reconciliation
    • Confirmation
    • Marriage
    • Last Rites
  • Ministries
    • Ministry Schedules
    • Extraordinary Minsters for Holy Communion
    • Altar Server
    • Pastoral Council
    • Stewardship
    • Choirs & Instrumentalists
  • Multimedia
    • Bulletin
    • Photo Gallery
    • Videos
    • Newsletter
Church of St. Marys logo. Text reads: Church of St. Mary at Clinton Heights
Menu
  • Calendar
    • Mass Times
    • Mass Readings
    • Children’s Mass
    • Events
  • Get Involved
    • OCIA
    • Faith Formation
      • Elementary K – 5th grade
    • Family Formation
    • Vacation Bible Camp
    • Middle School Mission
  • Giving
    • E-Giving
    • Financial Reports
  • Contact
Church of St. Marys logo
Menu
  • Home
  • Calendar
    • Mass Times
    • Mass Readings
    • Children’s Mass
    • Events
  • Get Involved
    • OCIA
    • Faith Formation
      • Elementary K – 5th grade
    • Family Formation
    • Vacation Bible Camp
    • Middle School Mission
  • Multimedia
    • Bulletin
    • Photo Gallery
    • Videos
    • Newsletter
  • Sacraments
    • Baptism
    • Reconciliation
    • Confirmation
    • Marriage
    • Last Rites
  • Ministries
    • Ministry Schedules
    • Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
    • Altar Server
    • Pastoral Council
    • Stewardship
    • Choirs & Instrumentalists
  • Giving
    • Financial Reports
  • Contact

What does God want for Christmas?

December 24, 2018 by

We all probably think God doesn’t need anything.  He probably doesn’t need new socks and underwear; probably God doesn’t want a new 4K flat screen, I would imagine that he doesn’t want a new cell phone.  God is probably the hardest person we must buy for, if we even think of Him in our planning.

Do you think anyone ever asks God What He wants for Christmas?

Here is how Darius Rucker — country singer, R and B musician and ex member of Hootie and the Blowfish — answers the question in his song, “What does God want for Christmas”;

“I wonder what God wants for Christmas
            Something you can’t find in a store
            Maybe peace on earth, no more empty seats in church”

I think is a good start for God’s Christmas list.  God, in the reading from Isaiah, promises us a world with no war and violence, but we need to change ourselves and our world, so it can happen.  To be peacemakers means we learn to disagree with respects, to not return violence with violence, verbal or physical, to actively commit ourselves to work for harmony and the common good.  What a great gift to give to God if we would commit ourselves in the coming year to be people of peace.

The most precious gift we can give God is the gift of ourselves.  Darius sings “no more empty seats in Church”.  Our worship here is to give God the glory and praise he deserves from all of us.  Afterall, look what He did.  He took on human flesh and then suffered and died for us.  We cannot ever match that gift.  To give the God the gift of our worship is an act of love.  He created us and gives us everything we need; the least we can do is to say thanks!

Darius ends his song:

            I wonder what God wants for Christmas

What kind of gift from you and me

More sister, more brother, more lovin’ one another

Yeah, I wonder, I wonder what God wants

By now we oughta know what God wants for Christmas

In my words, what God wants for Christmas is you.  What God wants for Christmas is me.  He wants everything:  our love, our worship, our service.  God wants us to put into use all the talents he has given us so that the Kingdom of heaven born in a stable can be born into our world.  God want us to love him everyday of our lives and make Him a priority.

So what does God want for Christmas?

            He wants you.

            He wants me.

Let’s hope he is not disappointed when He opens his gifts tomorrow morning.

Filed Under: Fr. Tom's Blog

Church of St. Marys logo

Contact Us!

Church of St. Mary at Clinton Heights
163 Columbia Turnpike
Rensselaer, NY 12144-3521
(518) 449-2232

Search

Quick Links

  • Mass Times
  • Bulletin
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Upcoming Events
  • Ministry Schedules
  • Gala & Auction
Presider's Portal Login

Recent Updates

  • The Third Sunday of Advent
  • Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary & Mass of Installation of Pastor
  • The Second Sunday of Advent
  • Feast of St. Nicholas
  • December Advent Gatherings & Celebrating You!

Connect With Us!

Facebook logo Twitter logo

Get Our App!

Download our app on the Google Play Store
Download our app on the App Store

Serving Since

Copyright ProspectGenius and Church of St. Mary at Clinton Heights 2026

Calendar