“Okay, help me pick a family,” I told my kids as we stood at the table at the back of the church and looked over the spreadsheets. Each one had several names and ages of children, with their shirt and shoe sizes listed. Next to each name was a single toy suggestion for Christmas. It’s our church’s annual version of an Angel Tree for needy children in our community.
As we looked over the families to “sponsor,” I could hear my youngest read the items on the list. Barbie doll, she whispered, and with her finger she moved to the next name, Music CD.
“Mom, is this all they will get for Christmas?” she asked.
I could tell she was trying to understand need in her world of more than enough.
We finally chose 3 kids near the ages of mine who loved music. Three kids just like mine.
This time of year, there are so many opportunities to give something to someone in need. And I’m first in line. Angel Tree-yes; Food Pantry-count us in; Fair trade gifts that employ women, you bet, dropping of secret Santa gifts to a needy family-wouldn’t miss it.
What better way to remind my kids–and myself–how much we have than by teaching them to share with those who have less?
Perspective changes Christmas. It not only shows us the needs of others, it shows us our need.
And with her finger pointing to a girl’s name, just about her age, she asked, “Is this all she wants for Christmas?”
“No, honey. She wants much more than what’s on that list. She and millions like her want one thing for Christmas:
They want to be remembered.”
We live in a culture that lives in excess. We have so much and we want so much more. It’s so easy to get sucked in and think everyone lives the way we do: Everyone spends money decorating their homes, everyone bakes 8 varieties of holiday cookies, everyone gets the best cyber deals and everyone has the opportunity to make Christmas magical for their kids.
And it’s easy to forget those who don’t live like “everyone” else.
I love traditions and magical moments as much as the next person and I don’t think we should necessarily forego or forget these special holiday moments. But at the same time, we must remember the poor. When we hang our stockings with care, we must not forget those hanging on by a thread. When we bake and eat treats and sweets, we must not forget those with empty stomachs. When we light up our tree and our house, we must not forget those who live in darkness.
And if we look around us, we will see the poor in our communities and across the globe.
This is real balanced living.
If we were all made rich alike, if God had given us all abundance, we should never know the value of his mercies, but he puts the poor side by side with us, to make their trials, like a dark shadow, set forth the brightness which he is pleased to give to us in temporal matters,” Spurgeon said.
The poor don’t want a handout this Christmas.
They don’t want platitudes.
They don’t want pity.
They just don’t want us to forget them.
Because do you know what really happens when we take care of someone who cannot take care of themselves?
We see the face of God.
When we spend our lives remembering the poor, they aren’t the only ones who receive a gift.
“Whoever gives to the poor will not want.” -Proverbs 28:27
Challenge: From now until Christmas, buy in twos (one for your family, one for another). Give and give a little more. You won’t be sorry.
This is Christmas.
We’ve been working hard to instill this in our girls this season as they are 6, 4, and 22 months right now. The older girls are obviously starting to catch on, and our oldest helped me shop for and pack stockings for a school friend who has been battling cancer – AND her brother. It feels so good to give and to remind them that even when we don’t have much, we have SO MUCH. Thank you for the awesome reminder!
Every day, I am asking God to just open my eyes to someone who needs something….food, a blanket, a hand written note, a smile, a word of encouragement, a bill paid…… And to make me joyfully willing to meet the need!
Thanks for speaking on this topic so clearly!
I saw this yesterday and it made my gut ache with the truth of it….
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/family/2014/12/linda_tirado_on_the_realities_of_living_in_bootstrap_america_daily_annoyances.html?wpsrc=sh_all_dt_tw_bot
This could not be more perfect. Thank you for the wonderfully put reminder. I have shared on facebook and I know that others will be blessed by the actions taken by those who read your words. Merry Christmas.
Who is Spurgeon? And where is this quote from?
I just wanted to share with you that I shared this blog post on my Facebook page, along with information about a coat drive being held by Goodwill and a local radio station this Saturday. I have also shared the coat drive information to my office of about 65 people. This morning a co-worker came to me that he has NINE COATS and additional hats, gloves, mittens etc to give to me to take over on Saturday. I have at least 5 coats, plus two snowsuits and a 9 month old size coat to take over. My mom is bringing coats from a friend of hers, and she’s cleaning some of her closets out too. I live in Rochester, NY where our winters can be pretty brutal if you don’t have proper winter clothing. by collecting, and then donating items I’m hoping that I can help up to 50 individuals who are in need. Your posts about helping the poor, and giving back has inspired me in my desire to serve my community and God. I may not be able to start a charity as you did, but I have said yes to God and I’m doing what I can within my means to help. Sending big warm hugs from Rochester, NY!
I always tried to cultivate in my children’s hearts a desire to serve the poor and needy and hurting in our community and around the world. We did that in many ways, big and small, throughout the year.
I can’t tell you how much of a delight it is now to follow the example of my 25 year old daughter, who leads a homeless ministry. In between the scheduled outreach times, I am out on the streets looking out for our homeless friends at least a few times per month, more during the holiday season.
Yesterday I brought them hot cocoa and chili in disposable hot cups, along with blankets and blue jeans.
Here is a post describing what we do:
http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-love-looks-like-reaching-out-to.html
If you are looking for a great picture book to read with your children, I suggest The Sparkle Box. It is about being kind to the poor in Jesus’ name at Christmastime.
~~ Virginia
And here is another post from last year with lots of practical suggestions:
http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/01/13-ways-to-help-people-who-are-homeless.html
Hi! I just wanted to thank you so much for your blog and for what you’re doing for the Lord. I found it when a mom I know shared one of your blog posts on Facebook. Being that I’m only 17 and am not a mother, I debated whether or not to subscribe…but I can’t tell you how grateful I am that I did. Although I don’t understand all of the situations you speak of, your heart reaches out and touches mine with each post, and I look forward to getting your emails in my inbox every day. Just know that your laboring is NOT in vain. 🙂 Many blessings to you, especially in this Christmas season!
Love this. Inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
I was so lucky this year, with help from wonderful friends, most of whom I have never met face to face, I am able to give my son on his very first Christmas, a little bit of joy. Yeah, he is 8 months old and will not remember this but I will. I felt like a huge failure because before my wonderful angels stepped up there was no Christmas. My husband is in the National Guard for the Army. He is having serious troubles fining work where we live. It used to be that companies would hire veterans on the spot, but not so much these days. He was in active duty Army for 9 years. I have been trying to find any kind of a job myself, but again we have an 8 month old son and daycare is super expensive.
So, here is hoping that everyone can know the kind of love and friendship that has been shown to be this holiday season. Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! God Bless you and your family.
This is spot on! We just wrapped our fifth annual workshop {really a fundraiser my 9 year old holds} to raise money for blankets, hats and gloves for the homeless. This year our children were able to raise just over $300! A new record. I always tell them every human being deserves to feel a sense of dignity and to be considered. So, we spend our Christmas eve handing out blankets and warm cups full of homemade spaghetti. We will go to bed that night feeling closer to Jesus than ever. Humans should just love other humans.
I am wondering … have you ever been in need? You seem to strike right at the heart of what is needed. We have been that family in need this past year and have been so blessed by so many people. But, we are also that family that used to buy the cheap crap for the food pantry, when we were on the donating end. Now that I’ve been on the receiving end, I will never buy cheap crap again to donate. Things are looking up for us, so I am so looking forward to giving back in spades!!