Have you ever wrapped a gift? It’s so much more difficult than it looks. I’ve given people cereal for a gift and I’ve given people AirPods as a gift both poorly wrapped. I guess God didn’t bless me with the gift of wrapping presents. Regardless of how the gift was presented, the important part was what the gift actually contained. Jesus was born in a manger smelling like manure, yet the contents of what was birthed that day were the greatest gift the world has ever known. The birth of Jesus was wrapped in cloth, and while it wasn't presented like a perfectly wrapped gift, its impact on humanity was its biggest wrapped present in history. Jesus' birth was unique, coming in the form of a young virgin named Mary and born in a situation far less than ideal. The circumstances surrounding Jesus‘s birth are a good reminder for us to look at what truly matters and not be focused on what is on the outside. The world was truly handed an amazing gift when Jesus came into the world. Jesus offers salvation in our darkest hour. In our lives, it can be easy to focus on the manger and not the Messiah. I’m encouraging our youth so let’s look at the good in your everyday. Your Thursday morning, you may have been dealt a manger, but look at the miracles in your life. Be in awe over what the Lord continues to bless you with day in and day out. The birth of Jesus initiated a gift for us every day, the gift of a relationship with our friend and our savior, Jesus Christ.