All wrapped up

09/12/2007 by David.

Someone told me they had seen an unusual instance of parcel wrapping. A bicycle wrapped up in Christmas paper - but in such a way that it was clearly and obviously a bike! Not much difficulty guessing its contents then! I would be disappointed if I got my present like that - I want the pleasure of tearing the wrapping off and revealing the surprise.

When God sent His Son He came all wrapped up in the common towelling of infancy. “All meanly wrapped in swaddling bands and in a manger laid…” According to the custom of the time - and still used today - the Lord of Glory would be seen and yet not seen.

What would you have seen? Just a bundle - and a face, an infant face. What an amazing thing - “My God contracted to a span, incomprehensively made Man” (Wesley)! Just a face showing - and shepherds invited to peer would see Jesus - just like any other baby - and yet, and yet…

This is what Paul meant when he said:

“For God, who said ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Cor 4 v6)

Posted in Thought for today | Print | No Comments »