The Wrapping…or what’s inside?

There is not a single parent who will read this that will not testify to the fact that for kids it is more about the box than the gift.  I can remember many a Christmas morning sitting on the couch with my wife in the family room.  We were both in our night clothes drinking coffee relaxing, easing down from the excitement of Christmas morning.  The dog was there on the couch between us seeking protection from the unwrapping frenzy that had just taken place.  We sat there watching the kids play with the empty cardboard boxes that we had paid plenty for.  Of course the toys that were in the boxes were now scattered around that same room.  Action figures with their blank stares looking straight at the ceiling half covered in wrapping paper left behind from the gift opened after it.  New books stacked against the couch, teetering on the coffee table or laid open on the floor.  Of course there were a few new clothing items, most were un-carefully wadded up into a ball and tossed up over the couch toward the tree.  All of which made for the festive picture before us as we relaxed midst the blinking of the Christmas lights and the laughter of the boys playing.
 
As I surveyed the room I could see the piles of wrapping paper, I could almost make out each gift that we purchased but the only thing missing from the picture were the boys and the boxes.  Somewhere behind the remaining furniture in the room you could here the sounds of the boys playing.  Their laughter was overwhelming at times which in turn increased our joy.  They were having fun; there was no doubt about that.  I was just amazed at what they were having fun with.  Sometimes I wonder if I would be better off just purchasing some empty boxes for their Christmas presents.  That of course we could never do but I have to admit that the thought had crossed my mind more than once and has always been shot down.

Reflecting upon this scene of Christmas past I am wondering if this could be part of the reason that so many of the young believers that I come in contact with have no depth to them.  The question that is raised is, “Could this be why Christianity is getting shallow?”  Could it be that so many people are more fascinated with the cross than they are with the Christ?  They openly strut around with a large wood, silver or gold cross hanging around there neck.  Their Persona reeks of a look-at-me attitude as they strut around like roosters in a hen house.  Their appearance is of a Christian nature but their actions are far from it.  It has often been quoted, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and ugly goes all the way to the bone.”  The truth is, it really matters not because that which we see is initially the package wrapper.  It is what’s inside the package that counts.  Our society is so caught up in looks and appearance that they often miss the true message.

My plea at this time is that we must not get too caught up in the wrapping.  Look beyond that which is obvious and see the real beauty of Christ.  Remember:

·         John the baptist wore animal skins and Solomon was partial to wearing fine robes. 

·         Elijah was a hairy man & Elisha was a bald man. 

·         Saul was at least a head taller than most men & David was a small ruddy looking boy. 

·         Moses and Aaron were brothers, Moses had a speech impediment and did most of talking where Aaron was an eloquent speaker and spoke very little. 

·         Naaman was a leper and Steven had the face of an angel. 

·         Rachel and Leah were the daughters of Laban. Rachel was more beautiful than Leah who was considered plainer in looks. 

·         Hezekiah was a king and Lazarus was a beggar. 

Jesus came to us as a babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger (Luke 2:11-12).  He left us wearing modest clothing and hanging on a cross (Luke 23:33-34).  I must tell you that He is more than the babe in the manger and far greater than the man on the cross.  He is the Christ, our risen Lord and Saviour.  He is the Lord and creator of all things and He alone is to worshiped and adored everyday of the year and not just during this holiday season.  We need to look beyond the wrapping and look inside and see Him as He really is.  We need to see Him and more; we need to fall in love with Him afresh.  Renew your relationship with Him or start a relationship with Him.  Let’s be as excited as the woman at the well who after meeting Him ran back to town with a message, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” John 4:29

Please do not take me the wrong way regarding the cross; there is nothing wrong with wearing a cross as a sign of your faith.  But it is far greater for people to see Jesus in you and to be called a Christian, than to be shallow and all show, having to proclaim your stand.  Having actions and behaviorisms that are Christ-like will far out weigh anything that we say.  Especially now that we are in the midst of this special Holiday season, people need to see Christ in others.  They need to see it in actions as well as hear it in word.