Do you have a Christmas wish list? When I was a kid, I often had a long list of things I dreamed about getting for Christmas. And even now, I have an Amazon wish list that my family can use to find gifts I’m sure to enjoy. But as I read today’s word from 2 Peter Chapter 1, I wonder if what we really need is a “wishes granted” list!

You see, Peter begins—not by pointing out our weaknesses as disciples of Jesus, or by urging us to try harder to live the life God wants—but instead, by reminding us of what we’ve already got! “By his divine power,” Peter says, “God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises.” (1:3-4; NLT) Just think! Everything you need to grow and thrive as a child of God, you’ve already received!

But of course, very few gifts will bring us joy if we never unwrap and use them. And so, Peter provides some instructions about what to do next: “So don’t lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given,” he says, “complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives…no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus.” (1:5-8; NLT)

So in this season of Advent preparation, I hope you’ll enjoy thinking about the gifts you wish for. But even more, I hope you’ll find joy in remembering what you’ve already been given through the power and grace of our Mighty God. Amen.