For me, having just arrived home two days ago from Africa,
the big kind of wrapping I’ve been asking for has not been traditional Christmas
wrapping paper. But I’ve been saying, where are the blankets? Where is my coat? Brrrr.
And as we go into Christmas Eve today and Christmas
tomorrow, thoughts of another kind of “wrapping” have been in my mind and heart.
What do we, as people, tend to try to wrap our lives in?
Maybe we try to surround ourselves with comfort. With success. We fill our
lives with markers of the “good life.”
Then we often wrap bodies in those things as well. Often we
put on make-up or new clothes, things that speak of
success- and that’s our wrapping- what we want people to see or guess about our
lives.
But- what is the reality in most cases? What we fill our
lives with and wrap ourselves in often leaves us unfulfilled.
And, if we are honest, underneath the outer “wrapping” of
each of us- there are probably some things we don’t want people to know of or
see. There is maybe fear or anger, hurt or loneliness. Maybe there is sickness
or sadness, fatigue or guilt. Maybe
there’s insecurity, an addiction, depression.
But thankfully, there is undeserved gift that was given
that has been extended to us! This gift
can restore and redeem our lives, on the inside and out. And this gift is what many will celebrate around
the world in Christmas services tonight and tomorrow.
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| Christmas Eve at Ginghamsburg Church |
Our sin, at one time, had us all heading towards the same
end- towards destruction and death. Separation from God had happened. And there
was no bridge, no way to get back to God.
We needed a new “wrapping”- to get us to a different ending,
but the penalty was too big to pay off. It seemed we had chosen our own fate and it
was a wrap, it was done.
But there was One, ONLY ONE, who was big enough, to rewrite
the story. And this One, in an unbelievable
move, offered to do the unthinkable.
Part of God Himself, His Son-Jesus, entered His Own story
to change the ending.
He took our condemned wrapping and made an EXCHANGE.
Jesus put it on himself- and gave us His wrapping instead. Our unrighteousness,
the rags and filth, the condemnation- Jesus wrapped himself in. And He gave His wrapping to us…His righteous,
His goodness, His holiness, His right standing with God- He offered to us as a
gift.
He then climbed onto a tree wrapped in our sin- and took
God’s full wrath and punishment for that sin. It’s unbelievable and
unthinkable- that move, so jaw-dropping.
The amazing love and grace demonstrated. That while we were still
sinners- separated from Him, Jesus did this for us. And then He said in his
last breath- it is NOW finished- NOW “it’s a wrap.” A new ending was written
for us. Now we can choose that gift, that wrapping!!!!! The
most AMAZING GIFT EVER GIVEN!
John 19:30
"It is finished," and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
Romans 5:1-2; 6-8
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ....you see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly....But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 8:1-4
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death....
John 19:30
"It is finished," and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
Romans 5:1-2; 6-8
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ....you see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly....But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 8:1-4
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death....
And in this covering from Jesus, this wrapping, is SO
MUCH….
There is a Savior, a Merciful High Priest, A Helper
through life, One who gives you Love, Peace, Joy, Hope, Provision, Protection,
Salvation, A New Story...with a New End!
Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; ...
Psalm 32:1;7
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sings are covered. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and will sound me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 125:2
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore.
Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; ...
Psalm 32:1;7
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sings are covered. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and will sound me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 125:2
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore.
Romans 8:31-39
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against
us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up
for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom
God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the
one who condemns? No
one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the
right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate
us from the love of Christ? Shall
trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these
things we are more than conquerors through him who
loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither
angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor
depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the
love of God that
is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
As we wrap in blankets and coats over the next few days; as we exchange gifts; maybe wrap in new clothes... may we remember what we’re really celebrating at this time… the greatest WRAP (end-finale) ever re-written. The incredible wrapping- new clothes, - that Jesus offers to us!
As we wrap in blankets and coats over the next few days; as we exchange gifts; maybe wrap in new clothes... may we remember what we’re really celebrating at this time… the greatest WRAP (end-finale) ever re-written. The incredible wrapping- new clothes, - that Jesus offers to us!
Jesus- Thank You… for leaving your home and coming here.
For giving ALL, your life, your covering… and for taking ours, to forever change
our end and story forever!!!
May we be willing to do the same in the lives of others
globally. To leave our comfort- our homes-as you lead, to share about what you
did, what you offer.
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| Our church's project in South Sudan, Christmas is "not your birthday!" |
Philippians 2:5-11
In your relationships with one another, have the same
mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a
man, He humbled
himself by
becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every
name, that at the name
of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on
earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Happy Birthday Jesus! We remember you and love you so much!
Luke 2:8-11
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord."...
Prayer Requests
-It's a joy to be home with my family the next few weeks to celebrate the holidays. Please pray a blessed time of rest for our family.
-Also, please keep my students in prayer, as classes are still in session.
Happy Birthday Jesus! We remember you and love you so much!
Luke 2:8-11
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord."...
Prayer Requests
-It's a joy to be home with my family the next few weeks to celebrate the holidays. Please pray a blessed time of rest for our family.
-Also, please keep my students in prayer, as classes are still in session.
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| My sister's arrival home to Ohio late last week :-) |
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| My arrival home on Monday late afternoon :-) |
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