Emerald Greene Parsons, Publisher
Last week I covered a house fire and watched as a family of five lost everything they had. A father, mother, 12 year-old boy, nine year-old girl and a two year-old girl were left with only what they had on.
I came home that night and put the ages and sizes of all family members on my Facebook page, asking for donations. The next day we put the story in the Madison County Carrier also along with the sizes needed for donations.
The clothes and gifts have been pouring in. I have been astounded with the response.
Not only have my Madison County friends brought garbage sacks of clothes and gifts, but my Jefferson County friends and Lowndes County (Ga) friends have donated by the sack full, also.
This is one of the main reasons I love our little small towns. The friendship and comradery of all our citizens is unbreakable when one of us is in need. The people that live in big cities don’t understand, recognize or appreciate the love/bond we all have with each other.
With Christmas right around the corner it is so easy to get wrapped up in Santa Claus and presents. With so little time left and so much to still do, many of us lose the REAL spirit of Christmas.
I think it’s important for all of us to stop and think of a way to share in the REAL meaning (and spirit) of what Christmas is all about.
It’s not hard to share and give during Christmas time: Angel Trees, Shoe-boxes, Toys-For-Tots, Senior Citizens Center, Nursing Home, or a family that you know of, that is in need; all of these are excellent ways to spread the Christmas Spirit and the Love of Christ!
I encourage everyone to find something, or someone, to give/donate to. So many children within our own community will have so few gifts this Christmas. There are countless families, also within our community, that will not have a “Christmas Feast” as so many of us will.
In case the fleeting thought crosses your mind, “That’s just more money I have to spend.” Ask yourself, “Isn’t this what Christmas is all about? Isn’t this what Jesus is all about?”
And by all means teach your children this trait. Take your children with you while buying gifts and/or distributing them to the needy/organization. Teach them that giving is more important than taking. If we don’t teach our children, who will?
It’s never too late to give from the heart. Ask your church, call any church, give to the “Toys For Tots,” ask a local civic organization if they are collecting gifts for the needy, or call your Senior Citizen Center for they have endless names of needy seniors in our area.
Give in the name of Jesus, and teach your children the same.
WE are the ones that teach our children to either be givers or takers. Think about that!!!