#173: Some Reasons Why This Season is Special

Greg (BIGDAD1211) recently expressed gratitude for the surprise donation of 30 meals to a shelter he serves.

One local neighborhood center collected 5,700 toys for underprivileged children.

A local Fraternal Order of Police used donations by the community and Target stores to take 700 children of poor families on Shop with a Cop last Sunday.

A church had thousands of toys for Christmas distribution stolen only to be quickly replaced by people in the community that nearly doubled the stolen amount.

One family lost their home and belongings to a fire two nights ago and before the Red Cross got them settled in a new place donations of toys, clothes, household and personal grooming items flooded local Red Cross offices.

These are acts repeated across the world as the feeling of gratitude flows from people to those less fortunate. When I read of these selfless acts or see reports on the local news, I get tears in my eyes over the inherent goodness in people that will surface when they are truly needed.

What may be more impressive, is that these acts occur throughout the year. They simply seem to be magnified at Christmas time.

Toys for Tots, the Salvation Army, Goodwill, homeless shelters, United Way, and numerous other charitable organizations go about their purposes mostly quietly and need our help on a constant basis not only on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

But that's okay. Christmas is special for many reasons, not the least of which is that it is a time for people to give hope to another, to let them know that others care about them and maybe, just maybe, to draw them from their pit of despair for a few minutes or a few hours or a few days.

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is a timeless admonishment. Especially now in the season of the One who gave the world His greatest gift -- not toys or clothes or a hot meal -- but His son.

Bless all of you this season and throughout the year as you extend a hand to those around you and as you do unto others.