"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things." Sung by Julie Andrews in the 1965 Classic movie, The Sound of Music.
Christmas is coming, people are shopping in a frenzy for the perfect gift for the perfect someone in their life. And when they come home, they carefully select the perfect gift box, wrapping paper, ribbons and bows. The perfect gift beautifully wrapped.
Our Heavenly Father gave us a gift too. The Greatest Gift in all the world!
His Son, Jesus Christ.
Himself, in the flesh.
The Giver, Who is also the Gift.
Only Jesus wasn't wrapped in silver or gold paper.
He was wrapped in the womb of a virgin- "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." Luke 1:35
He was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger of hay- "And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." Luke 2:12
As he grew up in the home of a carpenter, he did not wear fine linen, just ordinary clothes, but at the time of Jesus' death, we are told that he wore a coat that was without seam- "Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout." John 19:23
On the cross, His garment was a crown of thorns that was placed upon His head- "And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, " Matthew 27:29a
And when He willingly gave up His life for you and for me, He was wrapped in grave clothes of fine linen- "And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, " Mark 15:46a
Jesus. Our Gift from God the Father. But a gift is only a gift if it is accepted.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
This Christmas, accept the Gift of Christ, and be wrapped in the gift of Salvation.
"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." Isaiah 61:10
A timeless Gift is waiting for you-
Go ahead, open it,
It is the bestest Gift you will ever receive-
But that's just me!
"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15
The Gift Goes On
Sandi Patty, 1983
The Father gave the Son,
the Son gave the Spirit,
The Spirit gives us life,
So we can give the Gift of love,
Don't you love to get a present,
wrapped up in a Christmas bow,
God gave each of us a present,
on that night so long ago,
It's a Gift that keeps on giving,
if our Spirits can receive,
it's the secret joy of living,
if our hearts can just believe,
Now when your life is full of Christmas,
then your life is full of love,
you can give aways the present,
that began with God above,
just like ripples in the water,
the circles of our love extend,
what was started with the Father,
is a Gift that has no end!
Chorus:
And the Gift goes on,
and the Gift goes on,
and the Gift goes on,
and the Gift goes on and on and on!
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