Better to Give…

As I have stated before, while I approach the idea of God from a Christian perspective, I will accept ideas and suggestions from other faiths that support those things that are sort of the universal mix of how we all view that generic “God.” The loving caretaker, the teacher, the one who promotes harmony among people. In this very Christian (and Jewish) time of year, we take time to indulge ourselves in a 2-week assignment for “Peace on Earth, and good will towards all.”

I think most Christians get a bit perplexed at Christmastime. For a brief period out of the years, we all seemingly morph (some totally, some internally, some for all the world to see, and some just pretend to keep people out of their business). Over the years my own view of this time of year has gone through a lot of changes.

Christmas has taken on a uniquely American pale over the years. We have “Thanksgivinged” it into a holiday of broad appeal, not just for what the holiday means for Christians, but for the actions many of all faiths put in practice at this time of the year — generosity, good will, helpfulness, forgiveness — reaching out to family and friends we may have not seen for a while, dropping some change in the red kettle… you get the idea.

Possibly it is easier for other faiths, which propose the “loving your neighbor as yourself” ideal find it easier to do when most of the Christian faithful are, and even the folks who only darken a church’s door on Christmas and Easter.

The origins of Christmas are decidedly pagan. A winter solstice celebration is common to many cultures just as a way to mark the passage of time. We cannot pinpoint a date for Jesus actual birth, but the apostle Paul early on started the tradition of hijacking pagan celebrations to educate people who had never heard of Jesus, on his message and teaching. I always like to back this up with Paul’s speech on Mars Hill in Athens about the shrine to an “unknown god” (Acts:17) — the Greeks were never one to insult a god by leaving one out. Paul took this as an opportunity to educate those Greeks about Jesus.

The Roman church, as it was formed, took up this very successful tactic of commandeering pagan or other religious festivals and repurposing them for Christian evangelism. This had both good and horrific results over time.

Mainly “Yuletide” as celebrated in most of Europe was a drunken bacchanal of excessive behavior. By the time the Middle Ages and the Renaissance took hold, most Europeans were “christian” by writ of the Roman Church, but were mostly secular, not understanding Christ, but very fearful of the guys with the robes and funny hats living in the big castle at the center of the town.

Christmas was originally shunned by the church as unimportant, and it had all the drunken excess attached to it. The point is often made by my evangelical friends that if Jesus was not born, then he could not have died, and that would be a problem to their narrative.

America though, went its own way. In the late 1800s, as the industrial revolution took hold, people were able to make more money and have a better standard of living (by comparable measure). The drunken orgies would not sit well in the Puritan mindset of the time, but it slowly became a tradition to spoil the children around Christmas with candy or gifts.

The church fathers of the time made the traditional play for charitable giving that was always the justification for Christmas bad behavior, and through the promotions of C. Clement Moore and Thomas Nast, Christmas has transformed into the commercial behemoth that we experience now.

While we all crow about “Joy to the World” and the spirit of giving, there are those who remain hidden and forgotten. There are those who by situation are alone, hungry, depressed to suicidal, and despairing. This may not be financial or outwardly visible. For some, all of the joy and celebration are just a reminder of how alone they really are in their grief and sadness. These people who we do not see are not only strangers, but some sit in our circle of friends, and in our families.

It may seem odd that people are sad during Christmas, or desperate. Yet we acknowledge it with empathy claptrap and a bunch of rich celebrities singing about Christmas to Africa, like it means something.

Going back to where my Christianity points, what can we do to make this holiday season better for the people who are not having a joyful time? It’s pretty simple, though it may not be easy. Try reaching out. That relative or friend who is having a hard time this year {or most years) — check in on them, talk with them, invite them into your home, give them some dignity and show them the love that would make the birthday boy proud.

Scrooge was not saved by his own hand. He didn’t even know he was miserable, even though everyone else did. He was saved, as the story goes, by an old friend and mentor, and 3 strangers who helped him work through his own pain which blocked him from the kind and generous spirit that was always buried beneath his crust.

Let’s say that this does not apply to your family — you can entertain that fantasy if you wish. Reach out to others who are forgotten among the carols and pretty lights.

It has been my small contribution to get out among the forgotten and do what I can to help among the unseen. A long-standing part of my personal ministry is to get out among the homeless, the poor and the working poor. Sometimes, a hot filling meal and some simple necessities goes a very long way to helping out an otherwise desperate person or family. Sometimes the smallest gesture can have the biggest impact on an individual life. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, talk to the homeless — really talk, like you’re talking to a friend. If you can, offer some food, or maybe a set of gloves or socks from the dollar store. You will not only be helping, which feels good, but you will be honoring God’s desire for us to treat each other with love and respect.

It was during Christmas season many years ago that I started carrying supplies with me for the homeless. Nothing major, non-perishable snacks, water, toiletries, etc. After a while I started carrying gloves, socks and sweatshirts to hand out as needed. As a single human being, doing this doesn’t solve any problems, but it does meet an immediate need for each individual helped.

As important as the “items” may be, the real gift is in the connection. I did mention talking to them, right? Find out about them, about what would really help. Listen to their story. Honor their dignity as a person.

If you don’t want to go out by yourself, recruit a friend, or check out your local church and community groups. Many of them are doing something similar to this, so you can assist with other like-minded people. Volunteer organizations do one thing well that the government never gets right. They separate the person from their situation. They do not assign blame, they offer help.

I’ve included a graphic with some suggestions that have met the needs of my local community. Maybe it will inspire some of you to take the next step.

Merry Christmas to all. ,