Time to Unwrap the Gifts

And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:9-11 ESV). I love watching my children and grandchildren open their presents at Christmas. Sometimes they open them slowly and other times they dive right in and rip off the wrapping so quickly you almost miss watching them open the gift. Watching their faces and their reactions is one of those things we love. For the kids you can tell pretty quickly if they like the gift or not by how quickly they hold it up and put it back down. For Faith, she likes the clothes, so she holds them up and looks them over for approval; Logan, on the other hand, will take the clothes and hold them up for everyone to see while looking for something else more exciting in the box! As I thought about that, I also thought of the gifts that Jesus received that first Christmas. They each convey a message to us concerning the gifts He brings through his redemptive work. Let me see if I can summarize them into two categories for your encouragement.  First, there is the gift of His love. I'm so grateful that Christ loved us so much that He wants to take us to Heaven to be with Him, but I love the fact that His love sustains us here on earth. Nothing can take that gift of love away from us. Wherever we are, whatever we do, we cannot be separated from His love through Jesus (cf. Romans 8:31-39).  Second, there is the gift of His grace. Through Christ we have access to that wonderful grace that's given to us. Not a gift we deserve but because of Christ we can have it. It is the strength that allows us to continue the journey. It is peace that calms our fear and anxiety as we face uncertain futures. It is the joy that prompts us to laugh in the face of challenge. It is the unyielding certainty that assures us of our eternal destiny with him and all those who have gone before us. There's just so much that we are given through Christ. These are but two of many. It's like there's this big tree with the bottom piled high with gifts and all the branches bulging with gifts nestled in just for us. We have wonderful and precious promises, strength, the Holy Spirit, peace, joy, and much more because of the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of Christ our lives can become so full, so rich, so meaningful. It should not surprised us that Jesus said, I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10 ). Most of us don't leave our gifts unwrapped under the tree. We want to see what's inside. I wonder if you are like me and leave some of the gifts unopened. Don’t. go ahead, rip the wrapping off and enjoy what has been given to you!