I absolutely love shiny, glossy wrapping paper at Christmas. I always have. Although I don’t always receive gifts wrapped in this kind of paper, I always wrap gifts with it. Not every single gift, but most of them, especially for my family. I go out of my way to browse around the shops, looking to find exactly the right tube of decorative wrapping. Something shiny and bright, but not gaudy. Something sleek, pretty, and–classy.
Yeah–I know, I know. The shiny stuff is a bit more expensive, but to me, it’s important. You know why? Because it makes the gift more meaningful. There’s no better way to convey a person’s value than by wrapping a gift for them in fine paper. Paper that, at first sight, immediately evokes a response of awe and excitement. A simple sentiment that says, “I’ve made this extraordinary for you.” A message that says, “You’re special to me.”
Jesus came to us in the most special gift wrap of all on a star-lit night so many years ago. He came gift-wrapped as none other than a baby. Everyone loves babies! They’re joyful, innocent, soft–pure. Baby Jesus evoked an immediate response of awe and excitement. His was an extraordinary birth; born of a virgin. God’s message to us in sending His holy child in the form of a newborn baby wrapped in swaddling cloths resonates the message, You are very special to me.
Maybe it’s time. Maybe this Christmas you’ll finally open this one, awesome, exciting, extraordinary, special gift. The gift of salvation, packaged with forgiveness, new beginnings, joy, hope and eternal life.
Go ahead and open it. It’s been specially gift-wrapped, just for you.
Father God, I acknowledge that Jesus Christ is God, who came to earth as a man to live a sinless life, impossible for me. I believe You died in my place and rose from the dead so I wouldn’t have to pay the penalty I deserve. I ask for Your forgiveness and am ready to trust Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I ask Jesus to come into my life, taking residence in my heart; to begin living through me–to guide me and help me do Your will. Amen.
