Wrapping Paper

Thursday, 24. December 2009 by Dan Ryan

Wrapping paper and I have a love-hate relationship.

I love wrapping paper. When I was little, wrapping paper was this tantalizing barrier, blocking me from the identity of the latest mystery gift to be placed under the tree. No doubt about it, wrapping paper creates intrigue. It creates anticipation. And isn’t that a major ingredient of the holiday season?

Remember when you were 8 years old and would struggle mightily to fall asleep on Christmas Eve? One year, I recall sneaking downstairs and planting myself behind the couch, determined to wait for Santa to appear. I wanted to be there when the reindeer landed on our roof; I wanted to personally hand him the plate of cookies. Somehow, I woke up in bed the next morning, only to take off downstairs.

Almost without exception, each year I was the first one to the tree each Christmas morning. Now, however, that process seems to be inverting itself: first to bed, struggle to get up.

Wrapping paper speaks to our need to guard our anticipation, to protect the intrigue of the Christmas season. To be blunt, I don’t think we do that. We need—yes, need—to follow Mary’s example and become purposeful about setting aside time to do this.

While the shepherds were bustling about the countryside, while the magi were bringing gifts—right in the middle of this whirlwind of newness and activity engulfing a new teen mom, Mary’s reaction is pretty suggestive:

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” –Luke 2:19

The original word used for treasured was “suntereo,” which translates “to preserve, keep safe and keep close.” You probably guessed as much. But suntereo also carries the connotation of preserving these things together, with something or someone.

I’m betting Mary did a lot of this treasuring with Jesus close by.

And if…if you really believe this baby grew into who He said He was, then it isn’t far-fetched for us to be able to do the same: treasure these things with Jesus close by.

Back to wrapping paper (seamless transition, huh?). I hate wrapping paper. There are downsides to wrapping paper. This is probably the guy in me speaking, but I have never really seen a great need for wrapping paper. Let me get this straight: I’m supposed to painstakingly wraps a gift so my nephew can ravenously tear apart my handiwork to get to what he’s really wanted the whole time?

If we were to downsize Christmas—not a bad proposition—wouldn’t wrapping paper be the first to go? I refuse to part with Christmas lights, egg nog or the music. But wrapping paper? So disposable. Seen through this lens, I view wrapping paper as the tonsils of the Christmas season—nice, but not really needed.

Maybe it’s been said too many times for us to take notice, but may you take the time needed to build a child-like anticipation for December 25th. But when that morning arrives, may you tear past all of the traditions that have been wrapped around this season over the decades. May you rip through to the purposeful gift, one so mysteriously beautiful that it defies reason.

And may you have an extraordinary, peace-filled, blessed and merry Christmas.