The Gift: Not the Wrapping

-Pastor Melissa Fain-

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Matthew 10:29-31 NRSV

Did you know that wrapping gifts have been around since the 1700’s, when the Japanese used fabric? In the United States, we wrapped our gifts in tissue paper.

The modern idea of wrapping happened by accident when a pair of brothers, who owned a general store, ran out of tissue paper to wrap holiday purchases. In the back, they found fancy liner they used for envelopes. Not having any other option, they used it. It sold out. When they sold it again the following Christmas the same thing happened! Thus, a new business was born when the Hall brothers started Hallmark.

When we see presents under the Christmas tree, we might focus on how it is wrapped. We all know the wrapping is not as important as the present itself. Even if the present is the most beautifully wrapped present we’ve ever seen, we will destroy that wrapping to get to the gift underneath.

That’s like you. You have value. You have worth. How you dress yourself up is only how you want others to see you. God finds value in who you really are, and wants you to be the best you, you can be.

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Question: What was your favorite gift?
 
Prayer: Dear God, thank you that you find value in each and every one of us. Amen.

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Places to connect:

To see or share pictures of the Advent Adventure Crafts:
Twitter: @FigTreeTweet, #AdventAdventure

For deeper discussion: Reddit: www.Reddit.com/r/FigTreeChristian