I have written a Christmas poem that I plan to read on Sunday. It is short and sarcastic and most who hear it will understand why I don’t write more poetry. It has to do with giving and the wearisome nature of such in this particular season. Giving is very fashionable right now. A host of charities and non-profits have all sorts of ways to help you feel good about yourself by giving this year. Jesus did say, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” so the more giving the better…right? Giving is certainly better than hoarding and nobody wants to be an Ebenezer or Grinch so get out there and spend some money! As most of you know I finally enjoy giving but it took a while. I thought for many years the aforementioned quote of our Lord must have been reversed in translation. It seems like getting is better than giving but Jesus is the smartest One who has ever lived; He knows what life is about and how to live and He is right. But I think it is worthy of note that He did not say it was bad to receive. In fact, if we do not receive well, we can never give well. If we do not see ourselves as recipients of benefits from a generous Father we will never get over our stinginess and learn to share with others. If we only see ourselves as “givers” we’ll be prone to think we are self-sufficient and “pretty good people after all.” Our best giving will always follow our receiving. We, as created beings are first and foremost receivers. It has to be since we are finite, dependent and needy creations. However, we were made to image our generous Father and giving should follow receiving. But, let’s not miss the fact that we are first receivers. May we learn how to practice receiving the provision of the Lord for a flourishing life!