KNEE DEEP IN RIBBONS AND WRAP

KNEE DEEP IN RIBBONS AND WRAP!

Eph 4:4-8

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

           Well, it is early morning. It is now two days after Christmas and I am sitting in my son-in-law’s recliner. Last night we opened our presents and we were knee deep in ribbons and wrapping paper. Since Christmas came on Sunday morning, it was hard to know whether anyone would attend church but we had church anyway! The attendance blew me away! What was wrong with these people? Had I brainwashed them? Don’t they know they are supposed to obsess over presents and Santa Claus? No, they came to worship the Lamb of God. It was wonderful. I am in love with my church.

Whether your gifts were many or few, old or new, the idea of gift giving is an integral part of the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Indeed gifts have taken the spotlight away from the newborn babe. The Wise Men brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. All these were very valuable and all very symbolic of various aspects of the life and ministry of Jesus. The gold represented his royalty, the frankincense spoke of his priesthood and the myrrh foretold his suffering and death.

           Mary gave gifts too. She gave her body to be used as the first home of the savior. Within her womb God and man would join and grow. She also gave her reputation as a pure woman sacrificed on the altar of slander,  gossip,  and disbelief. A sword shall pierce her heart also! This was the prophecy of Simeon.

           Joseph gave his love, protection and fatherly leadership. To Mary he gave the gift of acceptance and understanding. He took part of her shame and became the earthly father of the Son of God. It was a valuable gift.

           The greatest Giver is God who gave the gift of His Son to die for the sins of a fallen race and to offer salvation to any who would receive it. “He gave gifts to men” is what Ephesians 4:8 tells us. The Greek word for gifts is doma which simply means “a present”!

           Even for a few days after this wonderful day you will hear people ask: “What did you get for Christmas?” The answers will be as individual as the person responding to the question. I have received the wonderful gift of grace, a robe of righteousness which is a perfect fit, the forgiveness of all my sins, a companion to be with me forever and at all times. I also received a gift card worth a home in heaven to be redeemed at a later date. Yes, this Christmas, I am knee deep in ribbons and wrap!

2 Cor 9:15

15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Dear Lord, thank you that along with the psalmist I can say: “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life – and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord – forever”! AMEN