All Wrapped Up
ALL WRAPPED UP
One of the things about the Christmas season that is central for all of us is “wrapping.”
We love to wrap things. Did you know that half of the paper consumed each year is used to wrap gifts? And thirty-eight thousand miles of ribbon is used on those gifts?
We wrap gifts, we wrap our arms around people, we wrap our homes in lights, and in the great Northwest, we even wrap our bodies with extra layers of clothing because of the weather. My wife stays wrapped up by the fire in our home.
This week our teams are working to transform the auditorium for the Living Nativity. The animals will arrive, the cast will rehearse, banners will be printed and hung, food purchased, and cards sent. There is so much going on. We really do get all wrapped up. Both in good ways and sometimes in ways that mean we may miss what matters. Every year I feel like I spend time thanking God, reflecting, giving, and at the same time guarding my family so we don’t get all wrapped up in stuff that really doesn't matter.
In all that we have going on, the tendency will be to give God our leftovers. To give Him what’s left of our time and resources. I am so glad God didn't give us the leftovers from heaven. He gave His best! He sent Jesus to save a world that had missed his entry to earth. Imagine living in that time, when you could see what no other generation has seen: God touching dirt, being born in a wet cave, with just his parents and a few shepherds who were rejected by society. But people missed Jesus then, the same way we miss Jesus today.
I hope we do get wrapped up; in fact, all wrapped up in what really matters this year. In an economy that would say “hold on and stay safe,” we can trust a God who has never changed and who owns everything and who gives to us always what we need. Every year we see God do miracles through the “Above and Beyond” offering. This year it will directly benefit our Children’s Ministry and children in our community. I can’t think of a better Christmas gift than investing in the next generation. In the pressure to buy bigger and better gifts, let’s not forget to continue to put God first. While the economy stays wrapped up in fear, you can choose to wrap yourself in the arms of the One who came to this earth a couple thousand years ago.
Think about it. 2000 years ago God was wrapped up in human skin. Wrapped up at birth, and interestingly, wrapped up at death. Wrapped up as the greatest gift the world has ever known or needed. Wrapped up FOR YOU. Look at what it says in Luke:
“That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12
This week we received an email that was so simple, yet such an eye-opener at the same time. Check it out:
“I'm looking for a production/service of some sort to educate my 5-year-old what Christmas really means. Can you advise? We do not attend a church or claim a particular faith.” –Jennifer.
I believe so many today are looking for a reminder of what Christmas really means. Jennifer wants her child to see past the wrapping, past the presents, past the hype to hear the “good news that will bring great joy.” Please be intentional to invite people to the Nativity. Put out door hangers in your neighborhood, send Facebook invites, share the promo video on your Facebook wall, and give red cards to your family and coworkers. Don’t steal Jesus from the story. Give people opportunity to say yes!
We all get wrapped up. The question is, what are we getting wrapped up in?
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