Wow! It’s that time of year again, isn’t it. In the USA, this is the big kickoff to the Christmas shopping season. “Black Friday” is this coming week. Have you made your list? Have your kids sent you theirs?
If so, pull out your list. Take a GOOD look at the list. How much of it do you NEED? Nothing? That’s what I thought.
This year, I’m not asking for anything (I actually rarely do). I’ve got WAY too much stuff. The message at our church this morning talked about de-cluttering our lives. Something I can totally relate to. De-cluttering our house wouldn’t be a bad idea either 🙂
This year, I would LOVE it if people would take the money they would normally spend on each other, and cut it in half. Buy something for your loved ones, but not 100 things. Take the money you “saved”, and why not spend it on something for someone else who likely won’t get anything for Christmas this year? Why not send someone a goat, or a chicken, or a water filter, or books, some skills training, or a malaria net? Of course, I’m not talking about these for your friends or neighbours. I’m talking about giving a gift of compassion to your global neighbour.
Compassion Canada has what they call Gifts of Compassion. You can buy a whole variety of things for someone in another country who really NEEDS it this Christmas. Prices range from $16.00 for a chicken, all the way to $5,000.00 for a heart surgery for a child in need. And if it’s been a few years since you took a look at the Gifts of Compassion catalogue, I sincerely ask that you take another look this year. There’s lots of new things you can buy.
So why don’t you consider a Gift of Compassion this year, instead of a gift for yourself. It’s a great way to spread some of Christ’s love to those in need.
TTFN