What Do You Want For Christmas?

[ English | Vietnamese ]

Tom and his family moved into a new neighborhood in November. It was cold and gray outside and he was feeling lonely inside when his mother walked into his bedroom.

"Tom, what do you want for Christmas this year?" his mother asked.

"I'd like a new four-speed bike or maybe a pair of roller blades. But what I really want is to be back with my friends in our old neighborhood."

His mother smiled. "Tomorrow why don't you ask the boy next door to come over. He's your age and I'm sure he'd be glad to play."

"But I know someone who wants to be your friend no matter where you live. In fact, He wants to be your very best friend."

"Who?" Tom asked.

"Jesus does."

"What do you mean He wants to be my friend?"

"Once Jesus told His disciples to let children come to Him (Matthew 19:14). He not only wants to be your friend; He wants you to be part of God's family."

"How can I be in His family?"

"Do you remember the verse you learned? 'For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life' (John 3:16).

"The Bible says that all of us have done bad things--sinned against God (Romans 3:23). There is nothing we can do to be God's friend and go to Heaven.

"But God sent His Son, Jesus, who never sinned, to die on the Cross and take the punishment for our sins.

"Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead. Because He did, we can know for sure that our sins are forgiven and we can be God's friends. Tom, do you know that Jesus is your friend?"

Tom shrugged. "I don't know."

"Well, you can be sure, by trusting Jesus as your Savior. Tell Him you want Him to be your friend. Tell Him you are sorry for your sins."

Tom bowed his head and asked Jesus to be his Savior.

After he had prayed, he looked up. Mother was smiling. She said: "Jesus said that when you receive Him as your Savior, He will always be with you (Hebrews 13:5). That means that no matter where you are you can always talk to Him, and He will hear you and help you."

Is Jesus your very best friend? If you are not sure, you can be sure right now, just like Tom. Then you, too, can be part of God's family.

© 2002 Good News Publishers. Used by permission.
Translated by permission of Good News Publishers
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