Giving and Receiving

[448 words] “What are you getting for Christmas?” “What do you want for Christmas?” How many times have you heard these questions lately? Christmas shopping is in full swing. For the next two weeks many gifts will be given and received. Which do you enjoy the most – giving or receiving? Unfortunately, for many people, the truthful answer to that question conflicts with the answer they know they should give. Honestly, receiving gifts, especially the one(s) we’ve always wanted, brings a lot of pleasure and happiness. But there’s no honor in receiving gifts (however, there can be dishonor in the way we act when we don’t get the gifts we’d hoped for). Several years ago, Calvin Coolidge, our 30th president, said, “No person has ever been honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” Can you think of an award or honor given to…