The Joy of Giving

"Tis the season to be jolly!"

At least if you are living in a country that isn't at war,
or under attack by the militia, or unable to supply fresh water and food to their village.

One might look at the "free world" as having all the necessities that others in poorer nations do not.  Yet, sadly, this is not the case.  There are many families in our country today that are living without fresh water, food, or medical supplies.

Appalling!  To have it right under our noses, and not know - even worse, not care!  There is so much pain and suffering in the world.  So many unfortunate families living well below the poverty line.  How can those of us who sleep in warm beds, have an abundance of fresh water and food, send our children off to school well fed and well dressed, and our spouses off to work, not care?

Is it fear that if we recognize the suffering, we will suffer?
If we can understand how horrible their "living" conditions are, then why can we not understand how important it is to help them?

Tis the season to open our eyes!

The top news most mornings is how so many people throughout the world are suffering, being torn from their homes, and thrown out onto the streets.  Imagine, please, imagine how you would feel if that unthinkable act, happened to you, your families, and your children.  Too difficult to put ourselves in their shoes?  You bet it is!  Then why not try to help relieve some of their suffering?

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  As Christians we should recognize the suffering, and work to help eliminate it. Consumed with how big our tree will be, how many gifts will fit under it, and what people will think of the decorations outside our homes, we neglect those among us who suffer.

To celebrate Christ's birth, and the message he spread during his short life, we should honor him by living as he lived.  With love, compassion, kindness, faith, and hope.

Tis the season to be thinking of those forgotten families and to do what we can to help them...