His Act of Love

Author requests article critique: The wrapping of Christmas presents; is it an act of love or drudgery? I’m terrible at gift wrapping; I definitely didn’t inherit Mom’s flair for detail. Though I don’t have her ability, I do cherish memories of helping her wrap our Ford family presents.

Mom often asked me to place my finger where streams of ribbon intersected.

She tied the ribbons and added scotch tape while I applied pressure with my index finger. The process wasn’t complete until Mom added colorful bows. She sometimes crafted curls in ribbons with a swipe of the ribbon along the blade of a pair of scissors. It was an act of love.

Jesus’ birth was the Father’s act of love.

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:1-7 KJV).”

Mary lovingly wrapped her firstborn son…