All Wrapped Up…

If your love language is gifts, Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year. You find special enjoyment in selecting, giving, and receiving gifts. But if gifts is not your primary love language, we still make our lists, check them two or three times, shop for the best deals, and wrap surprises. The Christmas gift-giving season has become the retail extravaganza of the year. News reported over $5 billion in sales was posted on Black Friday.

It’s easy to get all wrapped up in gifts. 

We love seeing the smiles of friends and family as they lift tissue from a gift bag or tear open the wrapping paper to open a box. The squeals of children and the exclamation of "You found it!" are priceless. When I was growing up, children would get oranges in their Christmas stockings and a few presents. We knew we didn't have the most presents, but we had the best, the love of family. It’s amazing how contented we were with simplicity. Today, we’ve escalated to the latest electronics, gift cards, and designer labels.

In his book, The Top 40 Traditions of Christmas, David McLaughlin says our gift giving is based on the gifts the Magi brought to Jesus. The three gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh represented Jesus’ as king, priest, and healer. 

The Magi found what they were looking for, presented Jesus with gifts, and bowed in worship.

This truth often fades in the busyness of the holidays. We can easily lose our focus as we respond to the persuasive “must have” appeal on the glossy circular or “lowest prices ever” on the online shopping opportunity. We fight traffic, forget to exercise, and deal with stress.

The love language of gifts –the ultimate One- was the baby in the wooden manger who finished His life as a sacrifice for us on a wooden cross.

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder. 

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Whether or not your personal love language is gifts, as you count down to December 25, may you wrap yourself in the love gift of Jesus. Like the Magi, He will be all you are looking for.

In the midst of the shopping and the wrapping and the arranging of presents under your tree this Christmas, may you not forget the gifts you cannot yet hold in your hands. ~ T. D. Jakes