The Perfect Gift Wrap
Today’s Verse:
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. ~Luke 2:7
One of the things I like about presents is how beautifully they are wrapped. Some people really put a lot of effort into getting beautiful gift wrapping, bows, and ribbons. I sometimes feel bad tearing apart a beautifully wrapped gift! When Jesus was born, Mary wrapped Him in swaddling clothes. These were little pieces of cloth that were wrapped around His limbs and body to keep Him snug and warm. It was the best she could do in her circumstances. However, that one description speaks volumes to us about “the perfect gift wrap.”
We see this was the son who is God.
“And she brought forth her firstborn son….” For nine precious months, Mary waited for the arrival of Jesus. I imagine that each day that passed was a day that did not go wasted. She was a faithful servant who allowed Jesus to “tabernacle” in her womb until the birth date. I don’t believe that she at any time doubted the fact that she was carrying the Son of God in her womb. Jesus is the Son Who is God. He was 100% Creator God in the womb and when He was born. He was 100% Creator God lying in a manger. When He came forth, she marveled that not just a man child was born, but that the sinless, eternal Son of God entered this world through her. Jesus was God incarnate, God Who is infinite, God Who is invincible, and God Who is incredible.
We see this was the son who was glorious.
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger….” The earthly scene was not one that was fitting or deserving of a king. Jesus’ entry into this world was most humbling. Yet, underneath those swaddling clothes and lying in an animal trough was the Son Who is glorious. Hebrews 1:3 says, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” All the glory of God was manifest when Jesus entered this world. He was glorious in His person. He was glorious in His power. He was glorious in His passion. John said it best when he said, “And we beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
We see this was the son who was given.
“And laid him in a manger….” There was nowhere to lay the baby Jesus except for a trough that the animals ate out of. Even at His birth, everything about the life and ministry of Jesus was one of humility. Lying in the manger set the tone for what the Apostle Paul described as, “He humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Mary looked at Jesus every day He was in her care and thought about the fact that Jesus was the Son Who was given. His very name was a reminder that He was the Savior of the world. He was given to die for the sins of the whole world. The greatest event in human history was on a countdown as to the days before He would be crucified. No mother intends for her son to be born to die for others. Mary did. The nine months she carried Him in her womb reminded her how precious life is, and how much God loved this sinful world.
Wrapped in swaddling clothes laying in a manger was the perfect gift wrap! Bundled up, Jesus was God’s good and perfect gift for the sins of this world. Unbundled, He voluntarily and sacrificially gave His life a ransom for all. This morning, let us thank God for His unspeakable gift!
Have a blessed God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 John 1-5