December 13, 2023 – Advent Text: Acts 2:37-41
Dear Friends in Christ,
It can be difficult to find the gift that fits perfectly, and I just don’t mean clothes which can be inconsistent in their sizes. Books might be safe, but what kind of book does the person like – fiction, non-fiction, mystery or biography? Food can make a nice gift, but what if they have an allergy to something, and your gift leads to them having difficulty breathing? That sure doesn’t fit perfectly.
Last year I did some ladies sweater shopping for someone in our family. It turned out to be the gift that fit perfectly. How do I know? First, they told me. But secondly, whenever we would see them they were wearing it. It makes you feel good.
Tonight, as we continue with the theme of “gifts,” we are going to look at a gift that is beyond good, it is eternal. It is mentioned in our text, “the gift of the Holy Spirit.” That gift was put on us at our baptism and it is . . .
“THE GIFT THAT FITS PERFECTLY”
Let’s go back to the birth of Jesus, Luke tells us that he was wrapped “in swaddling clothes.” Ever wonder what are swaddling clothes? They have been around for centuries and are still used for babies today. After the baby has been born, the baby is bathed, maybe some lotion is put on and then they are wrapped in soft cloths. Both of our boys came to us this way shortly after their birth. The only thing sticking out was their head. They were wrapped tightly and what a gift!
Before Jesus was wrapped up as the gift that fits perfectly, Matthew tells us about the work of this same Holy Spirit. “Joseph, Son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:20b-21)
The people in our text it says were “cut to the heart.” This was a deep emotional wound. What emotional wound has cut to your heart? A relationship that is not what it used to be? A Christmas celebration missing a dear loved one? Words said, that you still regret years later? What is deep inside you that still causes a hurt?
Then they asked the question, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter said, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” (v. 38-39)
We need to recognize our desperate state, confess our sins and be washed by God. The chief blessing of our baptism is the forgiveness of sins. This gift of the Holy Spirit which fits perfectly is a gracious promise to all people regardless of age or race.
Many of us were baptized as infants. When we were brought to the font by our parents, they saw us as the perfect gift. We were probably wrapped in a nice little package, especially if your baptism was in the Midwest winter. Our parents and congregation confessed the faith for us. Our sponsors diligently took an oath of their responsibility. Then it happened, you were placed by the font and the Pastor took the water and said, “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” And thanks be to God that fit you perfectly. Sins washed away. Called child of God. On the road to the eternal life that awaits you.
Can you recall that one Christmas gift that fit you perfectly? For me, it was either late high school or early college. I wanted a VCR. At the time it cost about $200. But I told my parents one gift would be fine, because that is what I really wanted. I received it and it lasted for years. I even learned to program it so it wouldn’t flash 12:00 all the time.
The one gift the Holy Spirit gives is the greatest gift. While I enjoyed the VCR it did very little for my faith. Even the one gift that fit you perfectly, unless it was a Bible or devotional book, could not do anything to save you. But the gift we hear about tonight, the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, would break free of those clothes, he would use his arms to wrap us up in His love as He went to the cross for the gift of our salvation. Haven’t we said it many times over the years at gift opening – “What a gift, it’s perfect.” It sure is.
Amen.