Don't Be Impressed With The Wrapping

The spring before I turned 16 my dad helped me buy my first car, a 1957 Chevrolet 210. It was a steal for the low, low price of $150. It was a project. I had great aspirations of a new paint job, upholstery, mag wheels and wide white letter tires. Dad was even buying into it.

When my birthday rolled around and I went for my drivers test, the car would not start. I think we had to replace a generator. I did drive the 57 during the summer, but I do not remember if I ever drove it to school. If I did it was not for long. As fall rolled around my dad came home one day with another car, a 1964 Chevrolet Impala 2 door coupe. It was awesome. There was one problem. Although it was great to look at, it had internal problems. It leaked oil. I think in the 8-10 months that I owned the car I might have driven it for a total of 6 weeks. It was in and out of the shop.


Later that year on the way home from church I rear ended someone and never drove the car again. We found a replacement fender from a salvage yard, took it to the body shop and waited. When dad picked it up he was not satisfied with the paint job and went directly to a friends used car lot and traded it in for a 1965 Chevrolet Impala. He knew the history of this car and felt more comfortable with it. It was by far the best car I have ever owned.

That 1964 Chevrolet was a great looking car.  It rode great, looked great and handled like a dream.  However, it had an internal problem.  There are a lot of people walking around that look fine on the outside and tell you they are fine but as the Bible says "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."  If you unwrap the package if not empty the contents are a wreck.

Christmas is all about Jesus coming to bring peace, hope and joy.  He came that we might have life and have it abundantly (Jn. 10:10).  He was born to die that we might die to live. 

When you unwrap that present this year be careful not to put too much emphasis on the content.  No matter what it is, no matter where it came from and no matter the price paid, none compares with the greatest CHRISTmas gift ever....JESUS!!!