Christmas gift

Gift Wrapped

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.   Philippians 2:7-8

Did you ever stop to wonder who came up with the idea of gift wrapping? Why do we bother with ribbons and bows if it is just the gift itself that people really want? Maybe it all comes down to a presentation; like on the opening night of a play. When we wrap gifts we do it to keep in the surprise. KIMG0138

In a strange sort of way Jesus came as God- gift wrapped! No one could see who Jesus was in his swaddling cloths in the manger. It took angels telling the shepherds to get anyone to begin unwrap that first Christmas present!

P1010380

Another reason for gift wrapping is so we can say:  “This just for you!” In that same way Jesus was sent, not only for the whole world, but He also gives Himself to us one by one.

Now some of us open presents on Christmas Eve and others on Christmas morning. But no matter what our selected time, it is the gift wrapping that makes us wait till the right time to open our presents. Then on that special silent night in Bethlehem; at exactly right moment, Jesus came  gift-wrapped and we have been unwrapping the love of God in Jesus Christ ever since!

1514032666931_image

 

What Will We Give?

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.  Matthew 2:11 KJV

 At Fort Knox in Kentucky the U.S. government stores over 9 million pounds of gold bullion. As you can imagine this is one of the most secure facilities anywhere on the planet. That gold has been there for over 90 years. Nothing more has gone in and nothing has been taken out. That is the way things are with the treasures of this life. They are kept under lock and key and rarely used. But at the birth of Jesus Christ things changed if only for one night. Men who had saved up immense riches risked everything to bring them to Bethlehem.

December 2012 032

They risked their lives on the dangerous and difficult journey from their far homeland. They willingly risked the wrath of King Herod whose soldiers were standing by ready to descend onto the helpless village. But nothing of their treasure, nothing of their comfort or safety mattered to them on that evening. All they could see was the star they had followed standing over the place and the opened their treasures and worshiped Him!

Sharing Christmas Joy

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit Luke 1:41 ESV

In some ways Mary was unlike anyone else on earth. Who else can say that God entrusted to them the baby Jesus? But in some ways Mary was just like every one of us. She did not have any special standing or ability that caused God to choose her. We in some ways are all given the same opportunity that Mary had to surrender to God so that His Son can be born in us.

Christmas 09 094

When Mary went to visit her cousin she did not preach a sermon, or bring expensive gifts to impress Elizabeth. But the difference that the life of Jesus within her had already made brought joy to into their meeting!

 

So that has me wondering and asking the question: Does the presence of Jesus in my life give joy to the lives of others?” If God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son for me, then what have I given to others today as an expression of that gift?