HH Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div

 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. — Isaiah 53:2

Many people will be looking for specially wrapped gift paper because they have an idea of the gift inside. Many people have rejected the gift because of the looks and it may be small. Some people just do not appreciate anything they get because their minds are confused and do not know how to say thanks. Most times the gift is judged by the wrapping and not the contents.

What about you? Do you judge presents by the packaging? Have you ever been surprised by what was inside?

The children of Israel were anticipating the coming of the Messiah, and they had a certain image in their minds. They were awaiting the arrival of a military leader who would show up on the scene with a lot of fanfare. They were expecting someone who would demand attention and respect by His very presence. Can you imagine their confusion when the Christ child made His humble entrance into the world?

From the very beginning, Christmas has been about precious gifts in unexpected packaging. Well, to them at Christmas time which has a different meaning. Today it is not about the Christ child, but merchandise.

The Son of God entered our world clothed in the flesh of an infant. God’s plan to redeem and restore His people began with a newborn’s cry. It was the ultimate surprise gift.

Scripture is full of God’s choosing to wrap gifts in mysterious ways. From the heart of a king hidden inside of a shepherd boy to the Messiah in a manger to angels disguised as strangers, He is full of beautiful surprises. Let’s not miss a single one of them! It’s so easy to get caught up in appearances. We make snap judgments about people, about events in our lives, about the reasons why something seems to have happened. But when we do that, we can miss out on the best gifts. That depressed neighbour could end up being a lifesaver, that loss of a job could be an opening to a new path, and if you’re my friend, that envelope holds something you just might like.

Let’s ask God to open our eyes to the beautiful surprises that are all around us. That smile can make for a good friendship. What do you have to offer this season? Think about it and make a decision.