A brown paper bag was all that I needed.

In my pre-Kristi years, I developed a certain reputation for how I wrapped presents.  Back then, you could still get your groceries in brown paper bags, and that was what I chose for wrapping my presents.  I asked a cashier for a few extra bags every time that I bought groceries (I mean, who wants a present wrapped in something with stains?).  I carefully placed the present inside, neatly folded it, and taped it shut.  Of course, I always added a bow because that’s what it had to have.  And I did not have to buy Christmas tags because I could write directly on the “wrapping paper.”

Some people made jokes about my wrapping job, but not only did they get a present; they also got a bag.  Trash was put in them.  Presents were combined and placed in them.  My wrapping job provided benefits even after the gifts were unwrapped.

Oh, and when I got married, Kristi took over the wrapping for some reason.  However, several times people have commented that they could have used a bag.

Christmas reminds me that the greatest gift of all also came wrapped in an unconventional manner.  Luke 2 tells us that Jesus was wrapped up in strips of cloth, and his crib was a feeding trough – no bows, no gift tag, no fancy paper, just Jesus.

Without anyone understanding at the time, Jesus came to provide salvation for anyone willing to accept Him as their Lord and Savior.  Jesus even said in John 3:16, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

God gave us the gift of Jesus.  What you do with Him is your gift to God.  Yes, He was born in a manger, and that makes a beautiful nativity scene.  Yes, He was compassionate and taught amazing truths, and that provides great inspiration.  But Jesus came (as He said) to seek and save those who are lost.  He paid the ultimate price (that we all owe), so that we have the opportunity to be saved eternally.

I hope that this has been a wonderful Christmas for you.  However, I pray that you have received God’s gift and are giving Him the gift of your life each day.  THIS is truly Christmas!

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