I have no problem giving gifts at Christmas. I have a problem giving wrapped gifts at Christmas. I can take a wallet sized gift, cut a 5 foot section of paper, place the small item in the exact center of the paper and somehow not have enough paper to completely wrap the gift. I end up cutting more strips to cover the exposed parts. On the other hand, my wife can take a gift the size of a refrigerator and wrap in completely, no exposed parts, with a shred of wrapping paper. How do you do that? Is there a school you attend to learn this? My wife would wrap toys and then wrap the batteries separately. She says you get more gifts that way. I always wanted to wrap batteries and on the card put, “Toy not included”. Of course, I wouldn’t have enough wrapping paper.
I know the Magi that visited baby Jesus did not bring wrapped gifts. There are two very clear biblical reasons why I know this: 1) They were wise. 2) They were men. There is another implied reason. We have no record of baby Jesus playing with the wrapping paper.
I have discovered ways of overcoming my gift wrapping challenges. Perhaps these can be helpful to you men out there. Consider this my gift to you.
• Buy gifts already wrapped. Make sure you know what’s in the gift. It would be tragic to buy a nicely wrapped gift and not know what it is. However, if this happens you can always tell the recipient its myrrh.
• Buy gift bags to put your gifts in. I like this option the best. The directions are easy to follow. Open bag. Place gift in bag. Crumple up paper and throw on top of gift in bag. No tape. No fuss. Just a word to all you wise men out there. If you get a really big gift you will probably need to use a hefty trash bag. Make sure it’s black. And put a bow on it. Most bows have a sticky backing which makes it simple to stick on the hefty bag. If it doesn’t have a sticky backing use Gorilla glue. When your wife asks you why there is a trash bag under the tree tell her its frankincense. She’ll know for sure you’re a wise man.
So men, when you give an unwrapped gift, you’re not only wise you are following an ancient biblical custom. Oh yeah, save your receipt.

Merry Christmas,
Pastor Tim