Have you ever pondered at length (or depth) the subject of need vs. want? Take, for instance, a scene at the dinner table. Junior "wants" something sweet to caress his tastebuds. In fact, if it were up to him, he would opt for dessert as his first course for the meal. However, since mother-dear is the chairlady of the dinner, she is the one who decides what is served for the courses to those at the table, including Junior. Mother has determined that all at the repast are in "need" of a good dose of vegetables for the betterment of their bodies. She knows what is required for strong bones and muscles and, therefore, serves the food necessary for such nourishment. Thus, mother addresses best the "need" for Junior instead of accommodating his "wants". It may be that if Junior eats his vegetables ("needs"), he may be eligible to get dessert ("wants"), though it is not a guarantee!
Let's move this analogy to the present Christmas marketplace, shall we? Retail establishments have reformulated their policies in recent years to make it absolutely sure that the customer acquire whatever he/she "wants" for Christmas. By lower prices through initial markdowns and offering tremendous discounts, the customer is enticed to get the item that Junior or other loved one totally desires. Then, on Christmas morning (or Christmas Eve), when the presents are opened, the person in question will be completely satisfied with said gift. However, if the unforeseen and unexpected disappointment should take place, the retailer is ready with the backup plan. The customer can happily return said un"want"-ed gift for refund or exchange so that the customer can find what is truly "want"-ed and purchase it. God forbid, the customer or the one for whom the gift is given should ever receive something they should "need" and not "want".
...yet there was a time not too very long ago when it wasn't that way at all.
Some who read this remember of days when Christmas gifts were items such as socks, shoes, coats, underwear and, maybe, some fruit and candy canes, not to say all of the above. You were blessed to get any of the above. The fruit and candy were treats, not even classified as "wants". The socks, shoes, etc. were definitely "needs" which were you pleased to get because they replaced items of the same kind that were completely worn out by that time of the year. As you opened your gifts and saw these things, you were very thankful that whoever gave the gift was looking out for you, had correctly understood that you needed them. In other words, there was a time when Christmas was more about "need" than "want". Why was that? Was it just because of the times and the economy of the day?
No. It was because we had a better understanding of the meaning of Christmas. God sent His Son to address the greatest "need" of all. Our sin separated us from Him. In order for His sheep to be able to drawn into His fold, the Father had to send His Son, the Shepherd, to die for them, to take away their sin, to break down the barrier of separation. Once accomplished, the Shepherd was raised from the dead to lead His Sheep into the fold by His Spirit so that they would be one forever, experiencing the love that He has for them that is beyond measure.
Christmas, then, is God taking care of our "need" in the grandest way. That little One in the manger is the Shepherd of Salvation, the One "who will save His people from their sins". Had He left us to our "wants", our desires, our lusts, we would be enjoying ourselves as we went along merrily into Hell. However, the Lord took the initiative and addressed our "need", overriding our "wants", calling us unto a salvation and a life that is far better than anything that we could ever desire or imagine.
So, this Christmas, don't let your "wants" outstrip your "needs". Indeed, let Christmas be a special time to meet the "needs" of others more so than your own "wants" in the spirit of Christ. In this way, we can show the world what Christmas was truly intended to be and to mean.
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