Did you know Amazon does catalogs now? I wonder what Sears thinks of this cruel twist of capitalism. My 3-year-old daughter grabbed Amazon’s glossy mailer and circled everything she wanted. She told me that she even left a few toys for all the other kids.

I’ll tell you what I want for Christmas this year—and no supply chain can thwart me. I want the path of life. Maybe this year the secret will end up wrapped beneath my Christmas tree. Or maybe I’ll finally learn to slow down for Advent this year and meditate on Psalm 16:11. I wish the path of life were straight and narrow. Then it might be easier to find and follow. But in my more spiritually lucid moments, I remember Jesus himself is the path—the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). And following him isn’t so much about knowing where I’m going but trusting him to guide me.

I don’t know if you’ve already cranked up the Christmas music or if you’re waiting to plan an Advent sermon series until the day after Thanksgiving. But I do know you and I probably feel a similar sense of weariness. And we need the fullness of joy that can only be found in Christ.

A new resource from The Gospel Coalition may help you and your church abide in Christ throughout the Advent season. The Weary World Rejoices: Daily Devotions for Advent, edited by Melissa Kruger, explores the traditional Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, love, and faith. We believe these reflections will encourage your heart in this season of celebrating Christ’s first coming, and longing for his second.

In your weariness, remember how Jesus carried his cross to Golgotha so that he could be the path to life. Because he ascended to the right hand of the Father, you and I can enjoy pleasures forevermore. That’s the only Christmas gift we could ever really need.