The Spirit of Christmas
Seven days until Christmas. So much still to do – at least eight more gifts to buy, the annual Christmas card (& letter) to mail, gift wrapping, three more Christmas parties to attend. It seems like it’s a never-ending cycle every year but this year is different. My husband and I have settled into a new region of the country. We’ve gained some wonderful new friendships, we love the area more than we thought we actually would (we are “city folks”), and overall, life is good. We are truly enjoying the spirit of the season, even with all the hustle and bustle!
Still, my heart breaks for those less fortunate. As a teacher, I see families that struggle EVERY day. I have students that live in hotels because they can’t afford to put a down payment on a house or the necessary down payments for the rental of a decent apartment. I have students who will not have a typical joyous Christmas dinner this year because the expenses have gotten so much so for their family that Mom & Dad can’t afford turkey with all the fixings. It breaks my heart.
And as a teacher, a group of us have rallied together to purchase dinner & gifts for some of those families, even if all we get them is a gift card to the local grocery store or buy their “wish list” at Wal-Mart or Target. Nothing against those two businesses. It’s just that we wish we could do more, if you know what I mean. In my own home, my husband and I have even donated presents through two local charities and their Angel Trees. There’s only so much we can do.
That’s the spirit of Christmas, though. That’s what the season is all about – giving back to those around you who are less fortunate. Every morning, I wake up and thank God for all the Blessings I have, even the most simplistic ones – the fact that – I can breathe and stretch to get out of bed, I have an automobile that will get me to work & back, I have a home that we are able to pay for, and of course the blessings of family & friends that surround us near and far. I feel for those that don’t have a portion of or any of that. That’s why each Christmas my husband and I make a point of doing something to give to others who struggle each day just to live.
I pray that as the days wind down and the holiday grows closer, y’all will take the time to reflect on your blessings and make the choice to give to someone less fortunate. It will brighten your Christmas. I promise you.
With something to think about…TQF
quintessentialfeline.wordpress.com 
Giving to those less fortunate than we are is EXACTLY what makes Jesus the reason for the season. When we help others in need, we do it for God’s glory, and we do it to become like Christ. What better way to honor the birth of our savior than doing something Christ-like – helping those less fortunate.
Giving to those less fortunate than we are is EXACTLY what makes Jesus the reason for the season. When we help others in need, we do it for God’s glory, and we do it to become like Christ. What better way to honor the birth of our savior than doing something Christ-like – helping those less fortunate.
Anonymous…you make many a valid point here but please don’t get too analytical about it. If you read the above response to the comment Wendee made, you would realize that Jesus IS the reason for the season and giving back is only a small contribution towards the celebration of it.
Yes, giving back year round is definitely as significant as during the holiday seaon. We all do it. Really, we do. It’s just that doing it during the holidays, makes a person feel like that is THEIR GIFT to signify the season. That’s all.
I appreciate your comments. 🙂 Thanks for posting them! May YOUR holiday be BLESSED!!
TQF
Anonymous…you make many a valid point here but please don’t get too analytical about it. If you read the above response to the comment Wendee made, you would realize that Jesus IS the reason for the season and giving back is only a small contribution towards the celebration of it.
Yes, giving back year round is definitely as significant as during the holiday seaon. We all do it. Really, we do. It’s just that doing it during the holidays, makes a person feel like that is THEIR GIFT to signify the season. That’s all.
I appreciate your comments. 🙂 Thanks for posting them! May YOUR holiday be BLESSED!!
TQF
“That’s the spirit of Christmas, though. That’s what the season is all about – giving back to those around you who are less fortunate.” – Lisa
“The spirit of the season is helping those in need.” – D
Are these two quotes really definitive of Christmas; giving back and helping others? Isn’t it about celebrating the birth of Christ and what he represents? Sure, Christ represents forgiveness and helping those less fortunate, but did he only do this in December? What about the rest of the year? Are people not in need then? I find this to be a bit hypocritical. People hand out food and make extra donations during this time of the year but are they really doing it becuase they honestly want to help this person or is it done out of a need to make themselves feel like they have done something extra? If people really want to help why not do it year round instead of just during December? Why talk about it now and tell people what nice things that they are doing for others? If they truly meant it would they need to tell others that they are doing it? Would it matter if others knew about what they had done?
“That’s the spirit of Christmas, though. That’s what the season is all about – giving back to those around you who are less fortunate.” – Lisa
“The spirit of the season is helping those in need.” – D
Are these two quotes really definitive of Christmas; giving back and helping others? Isn’t it about celebrating the birth of Christ and what he represents? Sure, Christ represents forgiveness and helping those less fortunate, but did he only do this in December? What about the rest of the year? Are people not in need then? I find this to be a bit hypocritical. People hand out food and make extra donations during this time of the year but are they really doing it becuase they honestly want to help this person or is it done out of a need to make themselves feel like they have done something extra? If people really want to help why not do it year round instead of just during December? Why talk about it now and tell people what nice things that they are doing for others? If they truly meant it would they need to tell others that they are doing it? Would it matter if others knew about what they had done?
Wendee, thank you for adding your post! Oh, yes, I was thinking along the very same lines as you; just trying not to make my own post too long but hoping to have made a point. Love..what a gift! Jesus..a GREATER gift! Merry Christmas, girlfriend!!
Hugs right back at ya ~
TQF
Wendee, thank you for adding your post! Oh, yes, I was thinking along the very same lines as you; just trying not to make my own post too long but hoping to have made a point. Love..what a gift! Jesus..a GREATER gift! Merry Christmas, girlfriend!!
Hugs right back at ya ~
TQF
I know you know this, but your post brought to mind to also remember that it’s not just how fancy one’s meals is or how many presents under the tree but how much joy, love, peace, and goodness is in one’s life. Many poor children grow up with a whole lot of character that some who grow up with everything given on a silver platter never get, or not until they are old and wrinkly like the Skin Horse. Many impoverished people in Mexico or Central America have more joy than many rich people I see tailgating and angry and grumpy every day. I think our culture should not teach us that all the kids need a bunch of presents for Christmas when really what we need is love. That is after all why God came to earth as a helpless baby 🙂 Hugs, Wendee
I know what you mean! This year I have been able to give back some, even though I technically have less. I cooked food for a family whose name was submitted to church. Another church member and I took the food to her the day before Thanksgiving. She was so grateful. She actually had tears in her eyes.
Then on Thanksgiving day, since my kids weren’t with me, my mom and I went to the local civic center to volunteer with a big Thanksgiving dinner. I did a little bit of everything. I ran errands, cooked veggies, served on the line, etc. And I enjoyed every minute of it. It wasn’t just for homeless people, although I would have been up for that, too. It was a community-wide meal. Donations were made by several area businesses and churches, there was even entertainment. Some people couldn’t afford a big Thanksgiving meal, and others were there to spend time with their families. It was very worthwhile.
And now – I am helping with Angel tree at my new church home. We are collecting wish list items for kids whose parents are in prison. We need to wrap them and deliver them this week, as well as minister to them while we’re there. We want them to know Jesus loves them, too!
Anwyay, so sorry to ramble. The spirit of the season is helping those in need. I have even handed money out the window to a homeless man or two. If I have an extra buck or two, why not? And not just around Christmas, but to help a fellow man.
People have helped me through difficult times, so I am definitely not trying to make myself sound superior here. I do these things in honor of those who’ve helped me, and all the glory is for God. Without God, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and He wants us to help others and serve others, and I am trying to do that.
Babble babble babble! Sorry. See you later. D