By Pastor Andy Kahle

If your household is like mine, you have more rolls of wrapping paper than you do presents.  Wrapping paper has become an essential part of the holiday season.

Along with decorating our Christmas trees, hanging up our lights, setting out all of the other decorations, it just would not seem right to put our presents under the tree without wrapping them in festive and colorful paper.

Opening a carefully wrapped present brings a sense of excitement when we finally sit down and get to see what is inside.  Just think about how much importance we place on Christmas presents from the money we spend to buy them to the paper we purchase to wrap them...one might think

Christmas is all about the presents.

As we begin this Advent season and prepare our hearts to celebrate our Savior’s birth on Christmas Day, we see that God did not fail to wrap up his presen, either. The angels not only announced this present to the shepherds, but they also told them where they could find him.  The present was not under a tree decorated with tinsel, lights, and ornaments, but it was found in a stable placed in a manger.  “You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12)

God’s gift to the world did not come wrapped in heavenly robes, but rather wrapped in strips of ordinary cloth to keep him warm. Yet still, at this ordinary wrapped gift, the shepherds were “filled with joy” to behold the long-awaited Savior.

The birth of Jesus reminds us it is not the wrapping of Christmas presents that is important, but it is the ‘Christmas Presence’ itself. The presence of God’s Son, Jesus, was the greatest gift ever given to all of us for it is the gift each of us needed the most. He came to wrap up all of our sins and carry them to the cross where he suffered and died. He was wrapped in the grave but rose again to bring about our complete forgiveness.

That Child who so silently slept the first Christmas Eve was sent to reconcile the world back to God – so that there would be peace between God and mankind. As you spend time this holiday season wrapping up your presents, please don’t forget the One whose presence changes everything - the gift of your Savior given for you and for me.  His presence gives us peace, joy, and life!  Celebrate this greatest gift this Christmas as you worship the Savior Jesus who was born for you.

May your Christmas be full of the joy and peace that Jesus our Savior brings.

Paster Andy Kahle

St Johns Lutheran Church

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