Opening Scriptures:

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and WRAPPED HIM IN SWADDLING CLOTHS, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)

 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. AND THIS WILL BE THE SIGN TO YOU: You will find a Babe WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTHS, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12)

Why would that be significant?

• Those were not ordinary shepherds. They were “Levitical-Shepherds” raising lambs to be offered as sacrifice in the temple.
• In fact to prepare the lamb for the Passover sacrifice, they would wrap the lamb in swaddling cloth to protect them. It had to be without blemish. So when the shepherds arrived, they found the baby WRAPPED IN SWADDLING CLOTH

Why is that so significant?

Yes the gift of Christmas was Jesus, the son of God. But His purpose or his mission was explained to us in the wrapping of the swaddling cloth. The mission of this new born savior was to die as the Passover lamb. From his birth, Jesus was wrapped in His sacrificial and  burial clothes.

Christmas Reflection:

Sometimes God’s gifts are wrapped in the very unfamiliar packaging. Don’t rush to the gift and discard of the wrapping so quickly. The message behind the gift could be in the wrapping!

Conclusion

• What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through the message?
• What’s the gift that God has brought to your life, but its wrapping is not so attractive. Not what you would have expected? Take a second. The message of the gift could be in the wrapping.