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A Tiny Gift . . . Wonderfully Wrapped, Silently Delivered
.
Gifts are so inseparably linked with
Christmas that we can hardly think of one without the other. With all the
giving and receiving that happens at Christmastime, it seems right that we
pause to think about God’s gift to us . . . His Son. Jesus was the
one-of-a-kind, original must-have gift that God intended for every person on
earth. No descriptive synonym fits the bill for the person of Jesus wrapped in
swaddling clothes and given to us at Christmastime. “This gift too wonderful
for words!” Jesus was so much more than a tiny baby lying in a manger! As we
gaze closer and think deeper, we see Jesus wrapped in more than swaddling
clothes . . . much more!
by
Pastor Chuck Swindoll
“Thanks
be to God for His indescribable gift!”
(2 Corinthians 9:15, NASB)
Since the first Christmas celebration, one word has crossed everyone’s lips more than any other this time of year.
It isn’t the
word carol or tree or food.
It’s gift.
Gifts are so
inseparably linked with Christmas that we can hardly think of one without the
other.
If you listen to
conversations in stores this month, I’m sure you’ll hear gift mentioned
several times.
We all have lists
of gifts we hope to buy — and some of us have lists of gifts we hope to
receive.
I remember one of
my children every year would present me with a carefully printed Christmas
list.
It even included
optional gifts
I could choose to
give if I wanted to and always those essential gifts that were not optional — the must-have gifts!
With all the giving
and receiving that happens at Christmastime, it seems right that we pause to
think about God’s gift to us . . . His Son.
Jesus was the
one-of-a-kind, original must-have gift that God intended for every person on
earth.
Reflecting on God’s
generosity in giving His Son, the apostle Paul penned my favorite Christmas
verse.
I always love
seeing it on Christmas cards:
“Thanks be to God
for His indescribable gift!”
(2 Corinthians 9:15, NASB)
It doesn’t fit in
what we usually call the “Christmas Narrative,” but it’s my favorite because it
communicates a true sense of awe found in the Baby in the manger.
Paul was a
brilliant man with a broad vocabulary.
He was competent in
his use of the Greek language, an excellent teacher and communicator both on
his feet as well as on parchment.
He was the most
prolific writer of the New Testament and, apart from Jesus Christ, perhaps the
greatest theological mind that has existed.
Yet, Paul’s pen
paused when he came to this simple four‑letter word, “gift,” and after giving
it careful thought, he wrote, it’s “indescribable.”
As he dipped into
the treasure of his knowledge, he could not find any word existing in his day
that could describe God’s gift.
No descriptive
synonym fits the bill for the person of Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes and
given to us at Christmastime.
Paul was suddenly
and completely at a loss. What word should he use?
The King James
Bible says, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
Kenneth Wuest, in
his expanded translation, writes: “Thanks be to God for His ineffable
gift.”
The English Standard Version reads, “His inexpressible
gift!”
The New Living
Translation, “This gift too wonderful for words!”
The Amplified
Classic Edition, “His Gift, [precious] beyond telling!”
Why is God’s gift
indescribable, unspeakable, ineffable, inexpressible, too wonderful for words,
and precious beyond telling?
One simple reason:
Jesus was so much more than a tiny baby lying in a manger!
As we gaze closer
and think deeper, we see Jesus wrapped in more than swaddling clothes . . .
much more!
First, Jesus was
wrapped in prophecy.
Read Isaiah’s
astounding prophecy of Jesus as mighty God and eternal King centuries before
Jesus was born.
“For a child is
born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
will never end.” (Isaiah 9:6–7)
Second, Jesus was
wrapped in history.
Sovereign over
time, God wove the events of history so that they dovetailed perfectly, at just
the right time, with prophecy.
“But when the right
time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him
to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as
his very own children.“ (Galatians 4:4–5)
Third, and most
significantly in this context, Jesus was wrapped in mystery.
True “awe” resides
in the mystery of Jesus’ nature.
Even in this tiny
baby, we find undiminished deity clothed in perfect humanity.
Linking the two
natures together in one personality, housed in one unique body, the God‑man
Jesus was born.
No less deity, no
less humanity, in one person, in one body, forever.
That’s
awe-inspiring mystery!
No wonder hosts of
angels declared in unison, “Glory to God in highest heaven!” (Luke 2:14)
What words fail to
describe only worship can express.
This is why the
Christmas story must be repeated in God’s words time after time after time,
year after year!
That’s the only way
people will hear the truth . . . and believe it.
So, as you
celebrate Christmas this season, sing the carols, enjoy the food, and exchange
the gifts.
But don’t let the season pass without remembering the prophecy, the history, and the mystery that surrounds the original, must-have, indescribable Gift: that tiny baby wonderfully wrapped, silently delivered . . . eternally adored.
Pastor
Chuck Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching
and application of God’s Word. Since 1998, he has served as the senior
pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s
listening audience extends beyond a local church body. As a leading program in
Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world.
Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor of Dallas Theological
Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation for ministry.
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https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2018/12/a-king-is-born-don-moen-king-is-born.html
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