The Meaning of Christmas

I stand at a red Kettle, smiling and grinning,
As folks pass me by, with their carts overflowing.
Some will look up, and be greeted with a smile;
Out of those few, they will give of their supply. 
Many won’t look at me, as to look means acknowledgement.
To acknowledge that their fellow man is in need, and that a few coins could make the difference - I watch in astonishment. 

Yes, in fact it wasn’t the the “rich” in appearance or those with their carts overflowing that gave today - it was the mother, who was alone with her children.

It was the woman with a different colour of skin than I, that gave the most, and wished me “Merry Christmas” - the very minority that the government and certain corporations tell us not to offend by wishing Merry Christmas. 

Irony - those of other ethnicities are often the least offended, as they themselves have religion.

For those that stared in my eyes, they received a Hello or Merry Christmas. It felt good inside, to wish a season filled with Hope.

Happy Holidays? Foolishness.

Seasons Greetings? Absurd.

If it wasn’t for Christ, you wouldn’t even have those words. 

Those are but a copy, a sham, of the true special reason - God giving His one, and only Son - into a world, where many didn’t believe in Him. 

Yet, for those that followed, and for those that were healed - they were forever changed and saw their lives with meaning.

Christmas is Hope. 

You can’t remove Christ from Christmas, as it’s like removing your glasses, when your vision is poor. You can walk where you like, but most likely you’ll fall.

As I was finishing my turn, by a red Kettle, an older woman approached me with tears on her face. 

“I’m sorry,” she said, “but I’m full of emotion today.”

“That’s okay, ma’am,” I replied, “we all have those days.”

She reached for her phone, fumbling it in her purse. She quickly took it out and tapped Give on the sign with tears on her face. She paused and said, “That was for you, Mom.” 

We give, because He, Almighty God, first gave to us. He didn’t have to, but His love doesn’t look away from you, based on what He might feel obliged to do. 

No, this Christmas - it’s all about Hope and His Love. That makes me want to give.

How about you?

Merry Christmas

Christian