REMEMBER THE WRAPPING - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2026

Our Daily Bread - Wednesday, December 22, 2016
by RBC Ministries

Details

REMEMBER THE WRAPPING

READ:

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
-Philippians 2:7

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Micah 6-7
Revelation 13

At our house some Christmas events are the same each year. Among them is my wife Martie's appeal to the kids and grandkids as they attack their gifts: "Save the paper, we can use it next year!" Martie loves to give nice gifts, but she also appreciates the wrapping. Presentation is part of the beauty of the gift.
It makes me think of the wrapping Christ chose when He came as a redemptive gift to rescue us from our sinful selves. Jesus could have wrapped Himself in a mind-boggling show of power, lighting up the sky with His presence in a celestial show of glory. Instead, in a beautiful reversal of Genesis 1:26, He chose to wrap Himself "in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:7).
So why is this wrapping so important? Because, being like us, He is no stranger to our struggles. He experienced deep loneliness and the betrayal of a dear friend. He was publicly shamed, misunderstood, and falsely accused. In short, He feels our pain. As a result, the writer of Hebrews tells us that we can "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
When you think of the gift of Jesus this Christmas, remember to keep the "wrapping" in mind! - Joe Stowell
Lord, thank You for wrapping Yourself in our likeness!
Remind us that You understand our struggles and that we can confidently take advantage of the mercy and grace You offer to make us victorious.

Don't disregard the wrapping of the best Christmas gift of all.

More From Our Daily Devotional Archives

Open Heavens
for Sunday, December 8, 2013
by Pastor E.A Adeboye

OF KEYS AND DOORS

Every apartment or compartment with a lock has its key. It takes a key to open the gate of a house and several keys to enter the house its rooms. If you have fridge, car or wardrobe, you will equally have their keys. From the foregoing therefore, it is apparent that several good things with value have their...More

The LORD is near
for Saturday, December 21, 2013
by Jacob Redekop, Brian Reynolds, John van Dijk, Eugene P. Vedder Jr

Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways

Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His waysBehold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the...More

Open Heavens
for Friday, May 16, 2014
by Pastor E.A Adeboye

HAZARDING LIVES FOR MISSIONS

Within the space of a few years after the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the gospel about Him had reached Rome, Alexandria, Antioch and all the great cities in Europe, Africa and Asia. The gospel had made great inroads into the aristocracy and among intellectuals, and had already changed the lives...More

The Good Seed
for Sunday, August 30, 2015
by GBV Dillenburg GmbH

August 30, 2015

Today's reading: Isaiah ch. 66

Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. ...More