Read: John 12:23-28

For this purpose I came to
this hour, Father, glorify
You name. -John 12:27-28

Every year at Christmas, James Baxter watches people
rip apart his company’s product and throw it away. All
the hours of creative design and careful manufacturing
are gone in a flash. And he has no regrets. As
president of the nation’s largest maker of Christmas
giftwrap. Mr. Baxter says, “What we don’t want is our
product sitting in somebody’s closet.”

A product like wrapping paper lends an interesting
perspective on the real meaning of Christmas. When God
sent His only Son into this world, His purpose was not
to give us a pretty package to gaze upon. Jesus
willingly left His glory in heaven and came to earth,
clothed with our humanity, knowing that His purpose was
to die for our sins. When talking about His approaching
death on the cross, Jesus said, “Now My soul is
troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from
this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour”
(Jn. 12:27).

Sacrifice, not self-preservation, was our Savior’s
goal. And He accomplished it to the glory of God.

This season, ponder the lesson of the wrapping paper.
As you think of how it is torn to reveal a gift, let it
remind you of the Savior’s sacrifice on the cross so
that you can receive eternal life, the priceless gift of
God.
-David C. McCasland

Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild –
God and sinners reconciled!” -Wesley

JESUS WAS BORN
THAT WE MIGHT BE BORN AGAIN.

OUR DAILY BREAD, Copyright 1998 by Radio Bible Class,
Grand Rapids,Michigan. Used by permission.