During our Christmases, I would place about 35-47 gifts under our tree. While almost all were wrapped, and a few were in gift bags, none of them were labeled! Each one, though, was for an intended person. They weren’t generic as suitable for anyone. Why no labels? Well, as I wrote last year (Dec. 26, 2024 The Mouse In The House), we had a mousy of a daughter who’d crawl under the tree (well into her teen years!) to count them and spy out the names.
Everyone was clueless! “Would I be receiving something this year?” “What’s mine?” the kids wondered. I relied on my good memory and wrapping tactics to know exactly what was for whom. Little mousey sniffed her way around the tree but never got the cheese! Once or twice, I did get confuse on a gift or two, but for the most part, I was spot on.
This Christmas, there might be an unlabeled gift under your tree…Hmmm….A mystery gift. The mysterious gift has a sender: Jesus. Under the cross (or tree), Jesus has a gift intended just for you. His gifts are wrapped with care. They’re gifts of Salvation wrapped in peace and joy. The gift has an intended receiver, you! He wants you to receive it, unwrap it, acknowledge its contents, and accept it. Go ahead, open it! Within, you’ll find forgiveness and acceptance! You’ll find love because He loves you more than you’ll ever know! It’s the most expensive gift you’ll ever get in your life! It cost Christ His life! He sacrificed it for your salvation! It includes a lifetime membership to eternal life! So, go ahead, grab it now before Mousy-girl goes for it!
“And the angel said unto her, Do not be afraid, Mary: for you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:30-33).
Merry Christmas!
Sam