Yes, I know Christmas is over, but my tree is still up and there are still piles of wrapping paper in my living room and a few more Christmas thoughts I wanted to record before I bid the season good-bye. So here is #1 of my two remaining post-Christmas posts.

And actually, this post has ended up being very short.

The word “receive” may, on the surface, seem a bit antithetical to the spirit of Christmas, but to me, it’s at the heart of it all.

I had spent quite a bit of a time writing a post about this topic, but I couldn’t get it to gel. I realized my friend already did such a beautiful job in her post that I want to link to her essay, “Just Receive.”

I will just say this: There are few things that have made Christmas more meaningful than what the Spirit taught me last year about receiving. My friend’s essay stirs those feelings again in my heart. I am grateful for her simple New Year’s resolution, which is one of mine as well:

At the end of this holiday season and the start of a new year, I am determined to keep listening to that voice in my heart that tells me to receive.

And now, tonight, as I reflect more on my friend’s post, the Spirit whispers to me that even the illness that hit me as Christmas came to a close (and has kept me home from three family parties (and counting?)) is itself a gift.

I pray for eyes to see more of what our generous, gentle, loving, patient, all-knowing Father is desirous to give me each day.

If I will but receive.

What is God inviting you to see and receive in your life?

For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift. -Doctrine and Covenants 88:33

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