In celebrating my first Christmas in retirement, I am sharing past columns I’ve written about Christmas. I call them the 12 columns of Christmas. The following was written for Dec.18, 2011.
There still is time. It’s not too late.
One week from today will be Christmas. One week for you to consider reaching out to help others in need, if you haven’t done so already. One week to spread holiday cheer and the Christmas spirit.
There are people without food, so you still can contact the Greater Berks Food Bank. It still can provide the help that people need. It’s not too late.
There are children without gifts to open, so you still can contact a number of organizations that can change that, including the Salvation Army. It’s not too late.
There are many other needs and many social service agencies that can help. First, they need your help. You can find them in many of the stories we are writing at this time of year, by searching Google, contacting the United Way of Berks County or checking community directories.
It’s not too late.
Many of us will have plenty of food to eat next Sunday. Plenty of gifts to open. In many cases more of both than we really need. Nearby there will be hungry people and children who don’t understand the difference between those who have
and those who do without.
Many agencies and individuals give their time and make donations to help make sure there are fewer people doing without. But they can’t reach and serve them all. Especially without our help.
Several years ago my wife and I stopped buying Christmas gifts for each other. We have what we need. We found that we were buying just for the sake of buying. Our time together far outweighs a material gift exchange. There are others who have real needs. That’s the type of gift that really matters.
Which brings me to another need to be filled. This one doesn’t cost a thing and takes very little time.
It’s not too late to reconnect with friends and family from whom you have drifted apart. What makes Christmas morning really special is the sharing of family time. In too many places in our community, there will be lonely people.
There are some who are in conflict, perhaps from recent disagreements or misunderstandings. Or age-old feuds and hurts that won’t go away. It may be as simple as people becoming too busy.
Life is that way.
The Christmas season is the perfect time to stop and reflect on your own life and those around you. No time for that? That’s too bad. It’s sad that all the wrapping and glitter and the hustle and bustle of the season have taken us away from the simple, yet powerful, message of this time of year.
One of the greatest parts of the Christmas story is where it took place. Jesus was born in a simple stable. His parents had no place to stay the night he was born, so they took the only place available.
A simple place, a single birth, yet the perfect story of peace and hope for the world.
It is ironic that the most famous person in the history of this world was born in a poor setting, never accumulated wealth or material things, never traveled far from his home and lived on this earth for only about 30 years.
Yet his message of loving and caring for each other has resonated for thousands of years. And when our hope fades, it’s that message that can encourage and revive us. If only we will stop and pay attention.
It’s a message that needs to be shared. Like any real gift.
So find a way to share that message through what you do or through what you give or through what you say.
There are so many people in need. It’s not too late.
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