Tuesday, December 20, 2011

The Real Meaning of Christmas


or

Caring is Sharing

(don't you just love this illustration, it's from My Way To God, a text book used in Catholic primary schools in the 60's and 70's. It is also the book the Nun's taught from when I was in primary school...ah memories. I spotted it in the op-shop where I volunteer and at twenty cents I had to buy it.)

Today Anthony and I dropped off a Christmas hamper we'd made up, to our local Salvation Army Headquarters. It broke my heart while I was waiting for the receptionist to tell us where to drop it off...so many people waiting for help. Desperation and hopelessness etched on their faces (I know that's a dramatic way to put it, but honestly, that's really how they appeared to me)

I felt like a bit of an interloper actually...almost guilty, because I was in the position of donating stuff while the other people in the waiting room were clearly there for help.

It was very confronting, because although we always donate something at Christmas time, we usually do it in a less direct way, like donating a present to the K-Mart Wishing Tree etc. It has made Anth and I think about how very lucky we are. Anthony said to me afterwards that he'd rather do this than receive a Christmas present (which is good because I haven't got him one yet (Ha!) and he goes away tomorrow...to work fyi, he's not going on a holiday without us or anything...although at times I'm sure he'd like to!)


I don't want to bug you or come off all hollier-than-thou (because I'm definetely NOT that!) but if you haven't done something like this yet and can afford to, please consider it. It's not too late. And you don't have to spend alot of money either. Your donation will be welcomed with open arms and I guarantee you will feel all warm and fuzzy inside just like Anthony and I did.

Now I will climb down from my pulpit. Thanks for reading.

our funny little Nativity

x

10 comments:

  1. Hi Kylie, I received your lovely email! Thanks and Happy Christmas to you too! Its been a family tradition that we don't exchange gifts at Christmas for as long as I can remember... and I'm perfectly fine with that. Christmas is so much more than pressies!

    x Aliya

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  2. Good post - and a timely reminder that not everyone is as fortunate as us.
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  3. good on ya kylie, as the kiwis say! this is the time of year for it. having been a recipient of christmas charity myself (during the miners strike in the uk in the early 80's-we got food and second hand presents) i always make up a food parcel and a buy a few kids presents; and it always goes via the salvation army who I think are the most wonderful, non judgemental, inclusive organisation

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  4. i made a donation to the donkey sanctury and cut down on xmas cards that to people i see all the time!

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  5. Great idea. Our school used to do a Christmas shoe box appeal for kids in other parts of the world, which unfortunately was run by a fiercely right-wing evangelical Christian organisation, so it was dropped (it wasn't at all appropriate for a multicultural multifaith school). But the idea of kids actually putting real items into a real parcel is a good one, I think. It's immediate and directly meaningful, so your idea of making up a hamper really fits the bill.

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  6. This is a lovely post Kylie. The pictures you included are perfect. Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas - Sharon xx

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  7. This is such a wonderful idea Kylie :)

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  8. Merry early Christmas! =)

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  9. That's the true spirit of Christmas, kudos to you!

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  10. really nice stuff :-)
    xx
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