Don’t miss the wrapped gifts

     This time of season is the time we see wrapping tables at the mall.  Price is based on the size of gift. Larger gifts can cost up to $50.00 per gift. Smaller gifts can cost $3.00 to $25.00.

     So, wrapping gifts can be expensive but only if you need a professional wrapper. Now each of us have wrapped a gift, some not as good as others. I always have felt when in doubt use more tape. Being honest I like smaller gifts to give, but I like receiving larger gifts.

     Well saying this, we can see God wrapped three gifts up for the whole world. The Bible lays them out. I want us to quickly look at them.  One is found in Luke 2:6-8. It says: While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.  And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

     This is the reason for the Christmas season. Emanuel God with us in the form of a baby. It says in the verse we read that Mary wrapped Him (Jesus) in cloths and placed Him in a manger. God’s One and only Son was wrapped up for the whole world to have as a Savior.

     Second wrapping is found in Luke 23:52-54. It says, Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

     Jesus is being wrapped up by Joseph the man who was a member of the Jewish High Council. Who didn’t agree with Jesus death sentence. Joseph wrapped Jesus up and placed Him into the Tomb. The sacrifice for mankind had been completed. A pure sacrifice once and for all. For those who call on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).

      The last and very important Gift was God opening the tomb and showing us, it was empty. In John 20:6 & 7; Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there,⁷ as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. ⁸ Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.

     If the tomb was not empty, if  Jesus had never been unwrapped and set free of the penalty of death. You and I would not be able to celebrate the Christmas season with the Hope of everlasting life in Heaven.  Jesus defeated death once and for all…Romans 6:9-11: For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

     My friends, Christmas is not just about the one wrapped gift, but it is about all the gifts God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit provide for those who have made Jesus the Savior of their lives. Who are not just church attenders but choose to follow Jesus every day. Picking up their cross and allowing the Holy Spirit to conform us into the imagine of Jesus. Being in a relationship with Jesus is more important than being a religious person.

     So please, this Christmas season don’t miss the wrapped and unwrapped gifts that God has provided us through His Son.