Wrapped and Unwrapped

Traditionally, Christmas gifts are wrapped in colored paper, but when Jesus came into the world, becoming the first Christmas gift ever, He arrived unwrapped, and then was wrapped in swaddling bands. Wrapping paper is flashy and colorful, but thin. Swaddling bands are warm and comfortable, but fairly drab.

When Jesus came to the earth, he did so humbly. He didn't make a big fuss about His arrival, and He certainly didn't try to pretend to be something He wasn't. In short, He didn't act like the hypocrites He later spoke against. He was always honest and genuine from the very beginning.

He came simply and quietly, but He brought great power with Him. However, when He did miracles, they weren't often flashy, either. Instead, He did relatively small miracles, touching individuals' hearts rather than openly showing the world what He could do. His power was more for warming hearts than impressing millions.

One thing that really impresses me about Jesus is that He didn't ask for any special favors. He was born the same way all babies are, and He grew up as all children do. He didn't even come to earth at a time without conveniences like plumbing and electricity. He lived simply and honestly, not hiding anything, but not showing off either. He suffered many of the same temptations and heartaches as we do, and He overcame them the same way we can, meaning that the power to live perfectly theoretically lies within each of us. He did it, and He did it as a mortal, so we can do it, too.

When Christ was born, He didn't get the kind of attention a coming God might ask for, and He didn't even come with the kinds of conveniences a God might be used to and entitled to. Instead, He was born on the earth just like everyone else was. He came to earth as one of us.