December is a season of lists. Shopping lists. To-do lists. Wish lists. Somewhere between the wrapping paper, delivery deadlines, and trying to make everything feel just right, it’s easy to forget what—or rather who—this season is really about.

Here’s a surprising truth: North Americans spend nearly a trillion dollars on Christmas every year, and most of it is forgotten by February. We’ve become very good at giving gifts… but not always very good at giving ourselves.

That’s what makes the story of the Wisemen so meaningful. In our Nativity Story video this week, the modern Wisemen arrive at the manger expecting piles of presents for the baby Jesus and instead find—nothing. No gifts. No bows. No receipts. They are horrified. And a quiet reminder from Mary that cuts straight to the heart: “It’s Jesus who is the gift. What he wants is your heart.”

The original Magi understood this. They didn’t travel hundreds of miles through danger and uncertainty just to drop off a few items and head home. They came to worship. Their gifts weren’t obligations; they were expressions of recognition. They saw Jesus for who He truly was—and it changed the direction of their lives.

That’s the question Advent gently places before us:
Do we recognize Jesus as our greatest treasure—or just one more stop on an already crowded calendar?

Authentic worship isn’t about perfection or performance. Scripture reminds us that God isn’t after flawless behaviour or religious checklists. God says simply, “Give me your heart.” Not the polished version. Not the Instagram-ready version. Your real heart—messy, hopeful, tired, searching.

And when God has our hearts, something beautiful happens. Gratitude begins to overflow. We become more generous with our time, our words, our forgiveness, our love. Not because we’re trying to earn God’s approval, but because we already have it. As Paul says, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

The Magi went home by a different route—not just to avoid Herod, but because an encounter with Jesus always changes the way we move through the world.

So as Christmas draws near, before you wrap another gift or attend another gathering, pause and ask yourself:
What would it look like to give Jesus the gift He actually wants?

This Christmas, don’t just give Him your schedule or your good intentions.
Give Him your heart.