I have to admit I’ve been frustrated the last few weeks as people have used Christmas to grind axes against political parties, politicians and each other. All in the name of what is supposed to be a holiday about peace and love.
But then again, there are conversations that make me proud of my fellow man again.
· I’ve had this conversation twice in the last two days with totally separate families. That tells me the feeling is more common than I realized. People are talking about cutting back or skipping the exchanging of gifts because there is “nothing we need” or “we have so much already.” Then they talk about finding ways to help other people out with the money knowing that there are people who need the help. And I’m not talking about rich people. Face it, most of us go buy things when we want them. We aren’t waiting on Christmas for someone else to buy it for us.
· A good friend of mine went to Goodwill yesterday and cleaned out nearly every coat in the place. Today she is giving them away to anyone who needs them at a party for people who are struggling. She isn’t asking for any recognition and would kill me if I said who it was. That isn’t why she’s doing it. She is doing it because it is the right thing to do and she wants to do it. Simple as that.
· I was blown away when I read the story about people paying off the Kmart layaway accounts for other people. That’s pure genius. Most people are doing it anonymously or are walking up to strangers in the store and doing it on the spot. Not for any personal gain, but because it can help out someone who might be having a tough time this year. If you didn’t read this story, here is thelink.
For years people have gone together and sponsored families or donated toys to toy drives and I think that stuff is great. I just see people really getting involved on a personal level and that sort of thing makes me really proud. They aren’t waiting for an organization or the government to do something. They are doing it themselves.
That is really what Christmas and this season is about for me. Jesus told us to love our neighbors as ourselves. I can’t think of a better way to do it than to put aside our own “wants” and do something for someone else. You never know, you might just get a bigger gift in return.