Most of the time, when we think about Christmas, we think about the Child born in Bethlehem's manger. Some never think beyond this point to the Child Who grew up and the Man Who died. Some have unwrapped this great Gift and see Jesus raised from the dead.
There are still many Gifts in Christ Jesus that most of us have never opened or unwrapped. There were many things "hidden" from the world when Jesus came. In order to keep these Christmas Gifts hidden, they must be wrapped.
As we study the scriptures and seek for (or unwrap and open) the Gifts still hidden (or wrapped), we come to many exciting Gifts in Christ that we have yet to unwrap. One of these Gifts is described in Hebrews 10:18-20 (Amplified) which says, "Now where there is absolute remission (forgiveness and cancellation of the penalty of these sins and lawbreaking) there is no longer any offering made to atone for sin."
Some Christians believe the above scripture means that if you sin after being born again, then you are without a sacrifice any longer. The truth about the Christmas Gift is, that two thousand years ago, before we ever came into being, our sin was paid for and was canceled out by receiving Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Does this mean that you can continue sinning? Of course not. But, what it does mean is that this Gift goes on from eternity to eternity, from before you came into being and forever. Anyone who has truly received Christ as their Savior, is not looking for a way to continue sinning, but for a way to be delivered through this Gift. While we are growing in our relationship with God and learning to walk with Him, our mistakes or "learning" sins are covered and God doesn't even remember them, through Jesus. If the baby is twenty some years old and still has to do these things, then it's time for him to grow up. The Gift of assurance of cancellation of your sin, is a Gift that comes wrapped or hidden from some today. This keeps them under condemnation and guilt and keeps them from the Father because of shame. It is us and not Him, Who has put up a wall. He, though, has "broken down every wall."
Hebrews 10:19 (Amplified) tells what the Gift of Jesus brings when we look further into Him. thus, it says, "Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the (Holy of) Holies (by the power and virtue) in the Blood of Jesus."
How do we have the confidence to "Boldly" enter in? Not by our being "so perfect" that we don't miss it, but by the "Power and virtue of the Blood of Jesus." When we stop shaking this Gift to see what's inside and finally unwrap and open it, we can stand quiet in our Father's Presence.
We find the last Gift that I want to talk about in Hebrews 10:20 (Amplified) which says, "By this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through the separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies) that is, through His flesh." Jesus' flesh was the opening of the veil that revealed our entrance into the Holy of Holies, God's Very Presence. The veil of flesh, the wrapping of Jesus' humanity, has been where many have stopped opening the Gift.
We never unwrapped this Gift from its "covering" or wrapping of flesh. Mostly, we still see Jesus wrapped in this covering and as yet unwrapped. Inside this last wrapping we're discussing today is the very presence and glory of Almighty God Himself. Jesus continually said that, "It's the Father in Me."
We might think that what we received from our Father is already too much, but the Father is the One Who is giving the Gifts. He only asks that we unwrap them and be delighted in His Great Love of Giving. Beyond this Christmas wrapping of the flesh, we see the fullness of the heart of this Christmas gift of Jesus.
We read about some things that only the unwrapping of Jesus can reveal in John 17:20-24 (Amplified). First, we get a glimpse of this hidden Gift by Jesus' Own Words in Verses 20-23 where He says, "Neither for these alone do I pray ( it is not for their sake only that I make this request), but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching. That they all may be one (Just) as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me." Verses 22-23 go on, "I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one (even) as We are One. I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and (definitely) recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them (even) as You have loved Me."
This is revealing the hidden Gift concealed by the flesh covering His glory. It's only be removing the Gift wrapping of the flesh, that we can see what it concealed. Now, I wish to show you something about Christmas Gifts that perhaps you haven't seen unwrapped yet. Let's see the depth of this giving time we know as Christmas in John 17:24. We've only looked at our receiving Gifts from the Heavenly Father, but it goes much deeper than that. Thus, Verse 24 says, "Father, I desire that they also whom You have entrusted to Me (as Your Gift to Me) may be with Me where I Am; So that they may see My glory, which You have given Me, (Your Love Gift to Me) for You loved Me before the foundation of the world."
God not only gave Jesus to us as a Gift, but He also gave us to Jesus as a gift. This unwrapping of Christmas is a time of delight and joy to Him, as He sees the Gift still being unwrapped for us as we keep unwrapping Jesus.
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