Giving and Receiving

Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Most of us want to make sure that someone out there gets a blessing and we are willing to endure being the receiver so they can. It is a terrible job, but someone has to do it. Right? Anyway, there is obvious truth in that statement because Jesus, the very Son of God, made it and by simple practice we know it first hand. As a child growing up, we couldn't wait until Christmas morning so we could jump down under the tree and see what was under there for us. Then, as we got older, it was more difficult to please us and the joy of receiving seemed to slip away. Then, we became parents again and the real joy of Christmas began. Now, we are on the giving end of the deal and couldn't be happier. Our delight is to sit back and watch as our kids scramble to the tree and begin to devour the beautiful decorated gifts like a bunch of wild dogs fighting over a bone. And you had better not get in the way unless you life insurance is paid up. Just to hear the squeals of delight and to see the expressions on their faces is gift enough for us. Well then, if we happen to get something from them, then that is just icing on the cake. It is at this time, as we kick back and see just how much they appreciate what they have received, (though they may never say it) that we begin to understand how God must feel when we finally unwrap the Truth and see the precious gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, Who died for our sins and with great joy and delight receive it. Yes, it is more blessed to give than to receive. So give the gift of eternal life this year to someone who really needs it.