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 Some gifts came well wrapped and others, not so much. However it
was received, the gift was wrapped perfectly to the eyes of the
recipient. The mother receiving her cellophane covered package from
the hands of her little boy, was proud of her son’s gift wrapping
and his special gift for mommy.
Gift giving is one of the marks of each Christmas season for several
reasons. Some suppose it’s from the stories of the benevolence of
St. Nick, or the giving of gifts from the Magi after Christ’s birth
(Matt. 2:1-11). But, many look to this tradition as coming from
God’s personal, wonderful gift to us all in sending His Only
Begotten Son to be born into this world of the Virgin Mary.
Scripture tells of an angelic visit to Joseph, the supposed father
of Jesus,
“20 But after he had considered
this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your
wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name
Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the
prophet:
23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will
call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
--Matt. 1:20-23 NIV
He came gift wrapped. Wrapped in His mother’s arms, His Heavenly
Father’s Love, and significantly, wrapped in swaddling cloths.
Nearby, on hillsides around Bethlehem, lowly shepherds were tending
to their flocks. They were about to receive a heavenly birth
announcement about the Great Shepherd of the sheep. The announcement
would come with special instructions. Instructions as to where and
how this gift to them, and the world, would come wrapped. The
wrapping had not only identifying marks, but also conveyed an
eternal message, even a sign, of hope, salvation, and love. This
“Sign” apparently was in the “wrapping” of the Gift.
10 But the angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy
for all the people.
11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is
the Messiah, the Lord.
12 This will be a sign to you:
You will find a baby wrapped in
cloths and lying in a manger.”
--Luke 2:10-12 NIV
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Today, we use a blanket to wrap a newborn. Back then, strips of cloth were
sometimes wound around the entire body. As the shepherds approached and came to
worship, I wonder what they pondered? He must have looked like He was wound in
grave cloths.
Could it be that they thought, “ This must be the One, the Savior! But see how
He is wrapped. He has the appearance of one born to die – WRAPPED IN BURIAL
CLOTHS!”
Now, this Christmas season, unwrap your Father’s best Gift of all. Let His Word
help you do the unwrapping and enjoy your best Christmas ever!
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