Fr. John’s Christmas Message
It is Better to Receive Than to Give?
What did you just say?? It is better to receive than to give? Doesn’t that contradict what you preach about so often? About helping others and putting the needs of others ahead of our own? Have you gone crazy or is this the result of everything going on in 2020? Have you become delusional?
That might be your reaction when I tell you that it is better to receive than to give. Please give me a few minutes to explain why. Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. As a way of celebrating His birthday, we decorate the house, send out Christmas cards, buy Christmas presents, throw parties, and have lavish meals with our family and friends, all in celebration of the birth of Jesus. It is also a wonderful time to help those in need by donating food, clothing and presents. All of these activities are to show our love and appreciation for so many people in our lives.
However, how well do you receive presents given to you, especially if it is totally unexpected? If you are like me, you get caught off guard and feel a little embarrassed, especially if the gift is expensive or valuable. We don’t know what to say and may stammer out a sheepish thank you, you shouldn’t have done that. So if it is hard for us to accept a special present, how willingly are we to accept the greatest gift ever given to us, God’s son, Jesus Christ? In order for us to truly give to others, we must receive into our hearts, the love that God gives to us: we have to receive it in our hearts before we can give it away. If we don’t accept God’s love completely and thoroughly, then all the other things we do at Christmas, the cards, the decorating, the presents, etc, will not have their full meaning or impact. They won’t be shared with the same love that God’s shares with us.
Advent is time for us to make room for Christ in our hearts. Our theme this year is humility. By being more humble, we push pride, the root of all sin, from our hearts so that we can receive Christ into the place vacated by pride. However, we must take the time and willingly let Christ take up residence in our hearts and not just pay a short visit. How can we do this? By giving that same love away to others. First, we must give thanks and praise to God for such a great gift. Second, we can now express our love for our family and friends and those in need, rather than going through the motions or feeling like it is “work” to prepare for Christmas. If Christ is dwelling in our hearts it is not really work but a labor of love.
This is why I say it is better to receive than to give. We have to receive the baby Jesus into our hearts, the greatest gift we will ever receive, before we can give to others.
May this Christmas be a time when you fully receive Christ into your hearts so that the love He sends to you permeates your whole being so that you can give it away to others on this Christmas of 2020, a time when it is needed by so many others.
On behalf of the parish family here at Ss. Peter and Paul, Merry Christmas and a Happy and Blessed New Year to all of you.
Fr. John