Let Earth Receive Her King

I have written before about the time near Christmas that I asked my daughter what she had learned in primary class that day. She responded that it was better to give than receive. In the eight subsequent years, this mantra still doesn't sit right with me, though it is a frequent Christmas topic. I would like to make the case that it is better to receive than give, or that receiving is at least as important as giving.

I think the principle that giving is better than receiving has some unintended consequences. I am a pretty good giver of gifts - however I am a lousy receiver. As I have pondered the topic, I can identify five different ways that I am or have been a terrible receiver.

1. The Denier
If it is better to give than receive, I always want to be the giver. When my children were born the ward relief society president approached me to see if they could bring in a few meals to help out. I was belligerent that we didn't need any help - we were self sufficient, had plenty of family around, and we didn't want to be a burden on anyone else. I denied gifts that were freely given.

2. The Score Keeper
Children receive gifts with joy. As and adult, I find myself mentally keeping score. If someone gives me a gift, I feel obligated to give them a gift also. If giving is more important than receiving, we need to keep the score the same. You compliment me, I compliment you, and we both come out even.

3. The Careless Receiver
Sometimes gifts are received with joy, but then set aside and mistreated - they aren't maintained and soon fall into disrepair. Though the gift started out very valuable, through neglect it loses its value. I am guilty of being careless with gifts.

4. The Apathetic Receiver
If giving is more important than receiving, maybe the thing given doesn't matter - it is just the act of giving that is important. Sometimes I have received gifts that I have considered worthless. There was one Christmas growing up that I didn't want anything that Santa had brought. I didn't know that my parents had tape recorded the whole thing. Later when we listened to it, I was embarrassed by my actions. As a general category of ways we can be poor gift receivers, being apathetic is one of the worst. Doctrine and Covenants section 50 teaches that it is only when teachers teach by the spirit, and learners receive by the spirit that both are edified. The same is true with giving and receiving gifts. If a gift is not received, was it really a gift?

5. The Demanding Receiver
Another way that I might be a bad receiver of gifts are the times I have felt entitled to a gift - that because of position or privilege I deserved something. Me, me me. More, more, more. This, too, negates the nature of a gift.

Not all gifts are equal. I prize some of the gifts I have received much more than others. Christ's Atonement is the greatest of all gifts ever given. Some people deny the gift that Christ offers. Others try to keep score with Jesus, thinking their own efforts and sacrifices will somehow make them more deserving of Christ's grace. Some people have been careless with the gifts they have already received, and yet others see no need for grace at all.

Songs that we sing at Christmas time remind us that receiving, and receiving Christ, should be part of our Christmas worship. "Joy to the world, the Lord is king. Let earth RECEIVE her King."  I want to be a better receiver of gifts this Christmas. And I particularly want to be a better receiver of Christ.

How silently, how silently

The wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of His heaven.

No ear may hear His coming,

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him still,

The dear Christ enters in.

 (O little town of Bethlehem)