Modern technology is making it harder and harder to unwrap Christmas. It has given us shrink wrap, which defies all attempts to tear it. We have fiber strapping that some knives won't cut. And we have adhesives that you can't get off with dynamite. I ran across a poem dealing with this subject, by Mary Elizabeth Counselman, that inspired the title for this sermon.

"Hats off to you makers of gadgets galore.
Hooray for your shipping and stackage.
But why do you make it so hard, more and more,
To take all your wares from the package?

Your cartons and bags, I can't cut with a knife.
The strength of your cardboard fantastic!
I'm sure I've spent easily half of my life,
Just fighting my way into plastic.

Your labels resist any solvent on earth.
Your tape is as tough as an ox.
I've paid for my …