I thought I would share a friend's Christmas poem, anyone who has children will say "Yes".
CHRISTMAS WRAPPINGS
They spent a lot of money on young Johnny’s Christmas
toy.
After all, he was their grandson and they loved to
bring him joy.
They wrapped it up so brightly and placed it by the
tree,
Then watched the little fellow as he pounced on it with
glee.
He loved the shiny paper and he tied the string in
knots,
But with some help from Grandad, Johnny opened up the
box.
He lifted out the costly toy and put it to one side
Then peered into the empty box, and quickly climbed
inside!
He wrapped himself in paper, with ribbon for a scarf.
The box became a boat, a car - he made the grown-ups
laugh.
‘I’m in a space ship, Grandad - and Teddy’s coming
too!’
So much for costly presents for a boy who’s only two!
But even so, they had to smile as they watched young
Johnny play.
That cardboard box and wrappings kept him happy all
that day.
Amusing little tale you think, but maybe fail to see
What little Johnny’s antics can say to you and me.
There’s so much joy at Christmas, so much that’s good
and right,
The family, the presents, the food, the tree, the
lights.
But all these things are wrappings (like the paper and
the string
That little Johnny found more fun than the gift that
lay within).
We need to look beyond them to the gift that God has
given,
His only Son who came to earth that we might go to
heaven,
The baby in the manger who grew to be a man
And sacrificed His perfect life to pay the price of
sin.
May we not be like children who throw the gift away
And get absorbed with wrappings which only last a day.
Let us accept with humble hearts the gift that God has
given,
Then we shall know real Christmas joy - the peace of
sins forgiven.
Val Joslin
