Monday, December 31, 2007
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
TO YOU
Since I was a child I've been accustomed to leaving unwrapped gifts under the Christmas tree for a number of days after they're opened. Maybe this practice goes back to my mother's urging us children to keep the gift-tags with the opened gifts -- until we had written the appropriate "thank-yous." (My father checked the wads of wrapping paper to be sure no tags -- or gifts -- were thrown out in the trash.)
With gifts that were special because they were an unexpected delight or because they met a particular need or desire -- to see them under the tree was like a re-run of unwrapping then on Christmas Eve. And the gift-tag served as a reminder of the love and thoughtfulness of the giver. And all this (said the tree) in connection with the celebration of the greatest Gift of all -- the Father's giving of His Son, our Savior.
When that great Gift "First revealed His sacred face," God the Father made sure a gift-tag was in place. He sent a herald angel to tell a group of ordinary shepherds in nearby fields, "To you is born . . . a Saviour." That announcement was made to common people -- not the ruling class, the wealthy, or the "in" crowd -- to make plain the fact that this gift is given to all who need a Savior. Every sinner, anywhere and everywhere. As Jesus Himself would declare: "God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His only-begotten Son . . ." (John 3:16).
So, look under the tree. Is the manger scene still there? Do you see the Babe who came "to retrieve your loss?" Remember the word of the angel herald: "TO YOU." There's the gift-tag for the greatest Christmas gift ever. The Father extends His redeeming love TO YOU.
This is the Christ, our God and Lord,
Who in all need shall aid afford;
He will Himself your Savior be
From all your sins to set you free.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 85:3)
