Receiving Gifts

The wise men found Jesus in a house in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:11). How long had His family been there? Why were they still in Bethlehem, instead of back home in Nazareth, since they had come specifically “to be taxed” (Luke 2:1-5)? We don’t know the answers to these questions, but we can infer from the humble circumstances of Jesus’ birth, and from the sacrifice Mary and Joseph made 40 days later (Luke 2:22-24, Leviticus 12), that the family was not wealthy. Strangers from a distant land offering exotic and expensive gifts must have been the last thing they expected. But there is no mention of Joseph or Mary being hesitant to accept the gifts or distrustful of the strangers. They were all receptive to revelation from God, since the wise men and Joseph heeded warnings they received in dreams. (See Matthew 2:12-13). The gifts from the wise men must have been exactly what the family needed as they hurriedly migrated to Egypt to escape the wrath of King Herod.

According to the apostle Paul, Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). It can also be easier to give than to receive. Most of the time when we give, we feel a sense of control. In contrast, when we receive, we are more vulnerable. We have to humble ourselves and allow another person to exercise their agency on our behalf.

The final chapter of the Book of Mormon, Moroni 10, is largely about receiving gifts from God. In this chapter, Moroni urges us to:

1. Be grateful for the Book of Mormon and ponder its message (v. 3)
2. Seek and receive revelation from God to know if the book is true (v. 4-5)
3. Deny not His power (v. 7)
4. Deny not His gifts (v. 8-30)
5. Receive His grace, so that you can be perfected and sanctified (v. 32-33)

This week, as we celebrate Christmas, we will experience the joy of seeing others open gifts we have chosen for them. I will also strive to be a good recipient of gifts, expressing gratitude for the thoughtfulness of others and being open to the unexpected gifts I may receive from them. Above all, I will strive to be receptive to the gifts God offers to me.