Photo Credit: Tim Carillet @ Compfight cc
My dear, sweet Grandmother used to quote an old Christmas Song/Nursery Rhyme around the Christmas season that I have never forgotten. The author of the words is unknown and the music was written in the late 19th century. In later years, Harry Belafonte sang this song, as did John Denver with the Muppets. The words are as follows:
Christmas is coming
The goose is getting fat
Please put a penny in the old man's hat
If you haven't a penny
A half penny will do
If you haven't a half penny
Then God bless you!
Anyway, this cute little song, talks about the goose getting fat, but every year I find myself and many others getting fat in preparation for Christmas too. There are Christmas parties, Christmas potlucks, Christmas baking, not to mention chocolates of every kind and flavor to taste test.
The Festive Christmas Dinner has not even arrived and we have put on the pounds. Like many, I love to eat. But as I get older, it is harder for my metabolism to keep up with my consumption. Not a recipe for weight loss, that's for sure!
This poem is obviously to remind us that in our affluence, we need to remember the poor. The less fortunate in our society find Christmas extremely difficult. Especially as they try to provide for their children.
Thankfully, there are Toy Drives, Food Banks and Soup Kitchens by the +Salvation Army and many other fine organizations to help those in need. None the less, there will be children in our country who, once again, do not have presents and nutritious food at Christmas time.
So this is one of those times of the year that we can easily put our gratitude into action.
It's not hard.
- Donate a toy to the toy drive.
- Put some money in the +Salvation Army Christmas kettle.
- Help out at a Soup Kitchen serving Christmas dinner to the poor in your city.
- Take Christmas Baking to neighbors or shut-ins who are less fortunate.
- You can even purchase a "goat" for a family in a third world country for Christmas through organizations like +World Vision.
- And involve your children in these acts of kindness so that giving becomes the meaning and message of Christmas learned by all.
My dear, sweet Grandmother (I affectionately called her "Grams") lived through The Great Depression. She never knew affluence but lived comfortably in her mind. She had a heart full of gratitude for her many blessings. She also knew how to give to others out of what little she had. She knew the truth, that it is more blessed to give then to receive! (Acts 20:35)
Give Thanks!
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