Julie Hildebrand
About the Author

Julie Hildebrand is a wife to one man and mother to three elementary school age children. She grew up in a small town in Texas and now lives in one of the largest cities in the country. Her small-town upbringing provides a calming backdrop to her sometimes hectic life in...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
Recent Posts

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. That is really significant that Jesus is only quoted with one “I want”. Thanks for sharing!

    • Tami, this is a truth that I have not been able to get over. I remember the day I learned it — just the way we remember where we were for all life-changing, significant events. Thank you for taking the time to encourage me!

  2. It made me think of the song, All I Want For Christmas Is You, Jesus, yes, He’s the only gift we really need.

  3. The words here filled my heart! Having lost my precious husband last year I have a ‘hole’ but know Jesus is the ONLY one to fill it!
    I am longing to KNOW Him completely, fully, and thank you for these incredible thoughts. Please write more!

    • Carol, please don’t ever forget that you are WANTED. You are wanted by Jesus and you are wanted by anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing you. Love you!

    • Carol,
      So sorry for the loss of your beloved husband! I know holidays can be hard when you’ve lost someone! May God come around you and hold you in his wings! I pray for peace and contentment! You are wanted and loved!!!
      (((((hugs)))))

    • Thank you, Dusty! There is so much busy, wanting and needing, isn’t there? Ahhh, but Jesus….

  4. Julie Hildebrand is a talented writer who has much wisdom to share about love, life, and family–and focusing on the true meaning of all of these relationships.

  5. How I love that we are–that I am–Christ’s gift from the Father. Thank you, Julie, for the reminder that we are wanted and cherished.

    • Isn’t it funny how we don’t want to admit we’re “God’s gift to anyone,” but there it is, right there is scripture? Ha! It feels so good to be wanted and cherished and Jesus didn’t throw his want around — He kept it just for us — for me and for you. Thank you for your encouragement!

  6. Julie,
    Your post reminded me of the song “Leaving Heaven” by Matthew West. It is Jesus talking to us about leaving Heaven and why He left! This world-eh the devil doesn’t want us to remember Jesus Christ so he devised a plan-commercialism. Thanks for the reminder that I am wanted and loved by Almighty God! Kinda hard to wrap my mind around!

    Blessings 🙂

    • Beth, thank you for your kind words! I’m going to look up the lyrics to that song. John 17 — the whole chapter — is Jesus’ prayer to God right after the Last Supper and right before being taken by the guards. In this prayer I hear Him longing for us. I read this chapter often to remind myself how much I am loved and wanted by Him. And so are you! 🙂

  7. I loved this entire message about all we should want for Christmas is Jesus UNTIL I got to the end and there is a link to purchase the Three Wise Kings by Willow Tree. I love the incourage devotions, I just wish Dayspring didn’t use them to try and sell stuff.

    • Hi Kim — Thank you and I completely get what you’re saying. But there is a slight shift that might help a bit. It’s not DaySpring that uses (in)courage, but rather, it is DaySpring that makes (in)courage possible. I’m so thankful DaySpring uses its funds to bring us devotionals we can read every day without paying for them. Again, I totally get what you are saying, but it’s good to remember someone is paying for this awesome site, and very few companies choose to pay for giving out encouraging words rooted in Christ. Thank you so much for taking the time to encourage me and comment here!

      • I understand that DaySpring funds the site, it just seemed like a bad choice for that link to follow your beautiful piece about wanting Jesus, not stuff.