Spreading Goodwill at Christmas
The real meaning of Christmas, the season of good cheer, is about
giving especially to provide some assistance to those who need help for
their daily survival and who therefore don't have the material
resources to enjoy the Christmas season. The importance of giving to
those in need during Christmas is
embodied in the story of Jesus' birth, which is the reason Christmas is celebrated.
For Christians, Jesus was born to save mankind from sin by giving
everlasting Salvation to all who believe in the Word of God and chose
to follow the principles for living in the Bible. Jesus therefore gave
in the ultimate way - he offered himself as a sacrifice for every
living person. Christians therefore believe that Christmas should be
about following the example of Jesus by giving of oneself to others,
especially to those who are in need.
The Christmas season should therefore be about spreading goodwill
and good cheer. This purpose of Christmas is very significant because
research by social service organizations has shown that Christmas
happens to be a high time for depression among the have-nots, among
people with problems and others who just don't have the means and
resources to enjoy the merriment of the holidays.
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The hundreds of
Santa letters written by children are often a sad testament to the many
unmet needs of families and individuals during the festive Christmas
and holiday times. Just about every child is told the story of Santa
Claus, or hears about him because his presence is everywhere at
Christmas. And up to the age of 7 to 8 years, most children believe the
story about Santa Claus bringing toys and other gifts. That's the
reason why so many young children often write letters to Santa at
Christmas time in which the innocently plead for toys and other gifts
because they their parents or other relatives will not be able to give
them those Christmas toys or Christmas gifts that they want.
Thankfully there are many volunteer and charitable efforts carried
out by groups and corporations that seek to fulfill the needs of
children and also of adults during the Christmas season. One of the
most notable organizations that do such charitable work is the
Salvation Army, which has a history of giving
service to those in need.According to The Salvation Army's website, the
organization as known today was started in 1865 by a Methodist
minister, William Booth and his wife Catherine. They formed a group
that preached, provided food and shelter to the homeless, the hungry
and to alcoholics in need of recovery services. The services were
provided in London's East End. Booth and his followers, first known as
'The Christian Mission,' started to use The Salvation Army name in
1878. The Salvation Army is now uniquely associated with the Christmas
season through its many representatives who dress up as Santa Claus and
stand outside retail establishments ringing their bells while they
kindly seek donations from shoppers to help the poor at Christmas.
Individuals also play Santa Claus at Christmas time and help out
those in need by donating toys and gifts through their companies, other
business enterprises such as banks or through their local municipality.
These groups usually all have a box or an area where new toys or
clothing can be dropped off and the items are then donated to families
in need or to social service providers for distribution to the needy
during the Christmas season.
Along with much charitable giving at Christmas time, other public
interest groups also work hard to inform and educate consumers about
avoiding the after
Christmas blues. This is often experienced in January when the bills
and debts are due as a result of all the spending, much of it on
credit, that is done for
the holidays.
These groups try to spread goodwill and cheer in a different way.
They try to provide educational information on spending responsibly
during the Christmas season with the hope that the happiness and good
feeling enjoyed during the season can also carry over after Christmas
and not be spoiled by the burden of
having huge bills to pay.
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