God Is Closer Than You Think: The Christmas Message Behind "All I Want for Christmas Is You"

Dec 21

Have you ever considered that Mariah Carey might be one of the greatest theological minds of our time? I'm only half-joking. Her iconic Christmas anthem "All I Want for Christmas Is You" captures something profound about God's heart that many of us miss in the hustle of the holiday season. Whether you love that song or pretend you don't, chances are you've heard it this Christmas season. And behind those soaring vocals lies a theological truth that can transform your life.

The God Who Comes Near

Christmas is about more than presents and parties. At its core, Christmas is the story of God's immanence, made possible through His incarnation. While other world religions offer a transcendent God who stands above us, Christianity goes a step further. The experience of the Christian faith is not merely transcendent; it's also immanent. Not imminent (with an I) in that it's about to happen, but immanent (with an A) in that God is present.

The big idea is simple but profound: God is always moving closer.

The Pattern of God's Pursuit

The story of the Bible is God moving toward people. From the very beginning in Genesis, we see this pattern emerge. When Adam and Eve sinned and hid from God, what was God's response? He came looking for them.

"Where are you?" (Genesis 3:9)

Though Adam and Eve chose separation, God began planning a way to bring His creation back to Him. From this moment forward, what we see is God reaching out to restore the relationship with humanity—to restore the relationship with you and me.

As Moses neared the end of his life, he testified to God's faithful presence: "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you" (Deuteronomy 31:8).

The Shepherd Who Searches

God isn't in the forcing business; He's in the drawing business. The prophet Ezekiel illustrates God's relationship with humanity like this:

"For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock... I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak" (Ezekiel 34:11-12a,16a).

Jesus echoes this same truth when He says, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10). The wandering sheep that is tracked down by the loving shepherd is the story of God chasing after me and you.

Prevenient Grace: God Makes the First Move

Pastor and theologian A.W. Tozer puts it this way: "Christian theology teaches the doctrine of prevenient grace, which, briefly stated, means that before a man can seek God, God must first have sought the man."

In other words, we can seek God because God has first made a way by seeking us. Mariah Carey nailed it. "All I Want for Christmas Is You" could have certainly been the tagline for that first Christmas. When Jesus was born, God made a way for us to seek Him.

But that doesn't mean we are off the hook. In fact, because God moved first, the ball ends up squarely in our court, waiting for us to act. As Tozer continues, "The impulse to pursue God originates with God, but the outworking of that impulse is our following hard after him."

From Beginning to End

The Bible begins with God seeking humanity in Genesis and ends with the same image in Revelation:

"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends" (Revelation 3:20).

God keeps showing up. Love keeps pursuing. Grace keeps going first.

Putting It Into Practice

Here's what this means for your life today:

Recognize God's Pursuit: Your questions, doubts, and longing for something more aren't signs of God's absence—they're signs of His presence.
Respond to Grace: For followers of Jesus, this is freeing. You're not earning God's love; you're responding to it. For people who are unsure, this is hopeful. You're not behind. You're not late. You're not disqualified.
Rest in His Nearness: Because of Christmas, God is closer than you think. You are never chasing God; God has always been chasing you.

It turns out that Mariah Carey is a theological giant after all. And if "All I Want for Christmas is You" is God's message to us, she couldn't have been more right.

Ryan Schreckenghaust

My name is Ryan Schreckenghaust and I’m the Lead Pastor at The Summit Church. Lee’s Summit is my hometown and I love connecting with people to tell them about who Jesus is.

I am a graduate of William Jewell College and, after changing my major countless times, felt God’s nudge to invest my life in the work of the local church. I graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Psychology. I then attended Rockbridge Seminary where I earned the Master of Ministry Leadership degree.

I was licensed to the Gospel Ministry in 2003, ordained as a Pastor/Elder in 2013, licensed as Local Church Pastor in the United Methodist Church in 2019, and completed the United Methodist Course of Study in 2021.

I have worked at several churches over the last 20 years where I served in roles such as Student Ministry Pastor, Creative Arts Pastor, and Executive Pastor. I’ve also worked professionally as a social media strategist in the marketing department at a Fortune 500 company.

I’ve been married to my wife Rebekah for more than 20 years. Rebekah is a school counselor at a local middle school. Together we have two boys, Jackson and Camden, and a Weimaraner named Poppy. I love time with my family, reading and watching my favorite sports teams!