God’s Indescribable Gift
Luke 2:1–20
I recall a childhood moment when I eagerly anticipated finding a specific gift beneath the Christmas tree. For years, I longed for a pocket knife, a symbol of maturity. Promised from my parents when I was “old enough”, and when it finally appeared one year, the room buzzed with anticipation. I vividly recall both sides of this anticipation — as a child and later as a parent, eager for my daughter’s excitement when she received a special gift.
The story of Christmas morning mirrors this anticipation: the promise, the gift, the wrapping, and the reaction. Luke Chapter 2, contains all four of these elements.
Let’s begin with the promise — a narrative going back to the Old Testament, tracing from Adam and Eve’s fall where God pledged to send a Savior (Gen. 3:15), later renewed with Abraham (Gen. 17:5). This promise threads through the Old Testament, leading to the Savior’s birth in Bethlehem, the city of David — Immanuel, God with us. A King uniting humanity and divinity.
What an amazing book the Bible is! It’s one of the best things about Christmas is that we can keep going back to the Bible and read about these promises. God’s promises always come true.
The arrival of this baby was much like unwrapping a cherished gift beneath the Christmas tree. However, the circumstances weren’t immediately appealing — a swaddled infant lying in a manger.
“and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them,” (Luke 2:7).
The baby was wrapped and placed in a manger. The angels announce the arrival: “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12).
Unfortunately, the birth of Jesus doesn’t resonate with many today. Pride, a great obstacle, often blinds us from acknowledging the need for a Savior. It convinces us that all solutions lie within ourselves. It took me until my forties to admit my own shortcomings and need for a Savior. No, most people never come to the conclusion that each of us is weak, helpless and hopeless without the birth of Christ.
God, who always resists pride, chose humility for the arrival of the Son. This act exemplified His preference for humility over pride.
Yet, some sought a Savior. How did they discern the true Messiah amidst potential counterfeits? The appearance of an angel, and the radiant glory of the Lord, terrified witnesses.
“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” (Luke 2:9).
Centuries earlier, Moses beheld a burning bush that revealed the divine presence, and Israel followed a pillar of fire — a display of God’s glory. The birth of Christ invoked a similar terror, signifying its divine significance.
The baby Christ was a message from heaven and that baby was to be taken seriously. The wrapping was sparse but it didn’t matter. The gift had extreme importance.
Once past the humble wrapping, the gift emerged: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:11).
Isn’t it exhilarating when someone hands you a gift on Christmas morning, saying, “This one is for you!” What an amazing feeling!
Similarly, the glory of God, the Savior, is for us. This verse encapsulates the essence of Christ. Embrace Him with humility, repentance, and faith, and experience complete redemption. Good tidings and great joy — an incredible announcement of Christ, the anointed one revealing God entirely. He is not just a Savior; He’s the Lord, an indescribable gift — God offering Himself to us, a marvel indeed.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).
With Christ comes peace — not the worldly calm we might seek, but peace within one’s heart. Despite the world’s turmoil, belief in Christ brings peace with God. Not due to personal merit, but because of the Savior’s life, death, and resurrection. To live and die in such peace is truly wondrous.
The promise, the wrapping, and the present — now, what was the reaction?
“They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed” (Luke 2:16–18).
The indescribable gift prompted the shepherds’ immediate visit. Their reaction was urgency — to witness and share. If you haven’t embraced Christ, ponder your reaction. Is it pride or humility? I, too, investigated until I realized my need for this gift. Indifference wasn’t an option; I had to meet Christ and declare it. The appropriate reaction is to seek Him without delay.
The shepherds, convinced of the Messiah, worshipped. Their reaction was pure worship.
Pastor Rich is a dedicated minister and experienced business owner. I received my Master of Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and my Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Spurgeon College. With over eight years of experience in the ministry, I currently serve as the Outreach and Evangelism Pastor at First Baptist Church Springfield, MO.
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