It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

When everywhere you turn there is a charity begging for help.

Children are cold. They have no coats to keep them warm. Some don't even dare to think of a new toy, they just want to stop being cold.



And when you see this sign. The United States Marines' Toys For Tots.
It's fun to shop for a new toy or sometimes a gently used one will be accepted.
I think it's especially fun for grandparents who don't have little ones at home to shop for a child or for those with no children to get in on the fun of toy giving.
We can all be Santa.



You walk the aisles in the toy stores looking left and right and marvel at the toys of today. Most of them to me don't even classify as toys as they're objects that kids use to entertain themselves with and you have to do something to them to make them work. Everything has to be plugged in or re-charged or something like that.

Can't I just find a set of jacks and a little ball. Or puzzles or jump ropes. "Jump Ropes", the clerk says. Uhhh I think there are some kind of jump ropes in the personal fitness department. Duh ........... my bad. On to something else then.



Well we all know about these.
The Angel Trees.
They've been around for quite a few years now. Most churches, the malls and other facilities have adopted them as a way of their customers being able to give a specific gift to a specific child.

But....guess what? I heard on the news the other night that the gifts collected from the Angel Trees here were ready to be distributed and they were 300 gifts short from the names that had been snagged.

Now that presents a dilemma for someone. Meaning the different organizations are going to have to reach down in their own pockets to ensure that all the children have what they are expecting.

I can see how this Angel Tree idea could be a potential disaster. Sure hope all the folks who took an angel tag will indeed drop those gifts off.



The most familiar Christmas giving symbol of all times I think.

The Salvation Army is found in every state of the union and perhaps even abroad. I haven't read too much history on the organization, but I do believe in them and know they do wonderful things for many.



Jingle jingle......... who could resist passing by those bright red kettles without dropping pocket change in.




And last but not least are the Food Pantries. Were it not for the generosity of you, me and everyone else who send checks and take canned goods to the voting polls, to church and to other events, what in the world would become of the hungry.

The food banks and food pantries all depend on our giving to be able to operate soup kitchens and shelters. Places where those who are homeless and hungry can depend on a hot meal. Also for those living on very limited incomes who need a hand-up.



Thank God for all the Giving and selfless acts of kindness at Christmas and throughout the year!




'tis more blessed to give.