Wrapped in Jesus



In this holiday season, there is so much going on. Driving through the neighborhoods, we see beautiful lights that have been strung with care. Some once bare lawns are not filled with the nativity scene which reminds us of the reason for the season.  Although we have endured the seclusion brought on by the pandemic, we are now slowly gathering. It has been three years since my church had a Christmas Celebration, and it's coming up soon.  Our party is a special opportunity to love on the members of Unity Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ. 

As with most holiday celebrations, there will be a gift exchange.  This part of the party is always so much fun.  I love to see the excitement when a gift is chosen from under the tree.  There is something about choosing that makes the atmosphere charged with anticipation.  

Now that you are in the mind of exchanging gifts, let me focus on the reason for this post. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let's remember the gift he gave us. When Jesus was on the cross, he bore our sins in his body so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness (1Peter 2:24). He willingly and personally carried our sins in his body as an altar of sacrifice. This is the best exchange we could ever receive.  

We may not get the things we are hoping for this year under the tree, but we on the old, rugged cross we received the gift of salvation wrapped in the body of our Lord. The beauty of this gift is that it keeps on giving.  Hope and peace are the hallmarks of our exchange. We give God our sins and cares, and he exchanges them with Jesus! 

No matter what's under the tree at your house, make sure you unwrap Jesus first! 

For so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Reaching the lost at any cost, 

Pastor Dr. Odie Kennedy

Photo Credit: Free Images



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