Comments on: Ignore the Wrapping

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:21:05 +0000

He took one look at the packaging job on my gift to him and said, “What’d I do that was so bad, Daddy?”

Thanks for the laugh, Billy, that was priceless.

By: S. Etole

S. Etole — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:00:21 +0000

I’m not always sure He did the wrapping … but I know He can make gift out of the whole bungled mess.

By: Corinne

Corinne — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:00:10 +0000

This was beautifully wrapped, Billy. Thank you.
On a funny note, as soon as I learned how to wrap presents, my dad enlisted me as his elf. For years I wrapped the gifts he gave my mother… I miss that little tradition now that he’s down in FL and we aren’t able to spend Christmas together. Thanks for the reminder!

By: Connie Arnold

Connie Arnold — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:42:34 +0000

That’s a good comparison and a wonderful way to look at what happens to us, as gifts from God. It’s such a lovely and encouraging thought to think of the special gift God has for us under the ugly wrappings of life’s difficulties!

By: Nick the Geek

Nick the Geek — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:35:24 +0000

Hey, I gots mad wrapping skilz. I can make ribbon curlz and everything. I’m cool with this cuz my man card is safe on many other fronts.

By: Anne Lang Bundy

Anne Lang Bundy — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:45:11 +0000

I never thought about it, but now that you describe it all this, I suppose the Lord likewise likes using many layers to wrap His gifts. Is He testing us to see if we trust Him and keep looking for the pleasant surprise? Thanks for the message, Billy.

By: Caroline

Caroline — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:38:06 +0000

The last two paragraphs spoke directly to me and gave me hope especially when tied with the last sentence. Thank you Billy, I really needed that. A very Merry Christmas to you and your family.

By: Joanne Sher

Joanne Sher — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:49:11 +0000

An incredibly powerful truth, expressed in true “Billy fashion.” Yes. Been there. Am there, to an extent. But I KNOW “it” is a gift.

By: L.T. Elliot

L.T. Elliot — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:23:36 +0000

Stop making me bawl, Billy. (But don’t. Don’t ever stop writing the beautiful things you do. You’re amazing.)

Thank you. I’ll unwrap my gifts, beautiful or ugly, and thank God all the same.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:45:58 +0000

Amen, Billy. I haven’t figured out what the writer intends when he says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you undergo trials of many kinds…”

It’s the poorly wrapped gift James is talking about. In the midst of the struggle it makes little sense, or would appear that the gift sucks, but on the other side it can be the most beautiful thing.

You wrote that you are “still looking” – I believe that to be the key. As this Christmas is upon us, I pray that all of the people I know who are really struggling through wrapping paper and tape up the waaa-zooo may keep looking to the Giver of the most amazing gift!