Christmas

I sat and listened this Christmas season to kids who don't get presents on Christmas. Kids who have no wish lists or hopes of any sort of Christmas celebration. Kids whose families are living in a hotel paid by a church because they don't have a home. Kids who each month have very little food after the food stamps run out. Kids who not only have no joy this season but then are forced to return to school and listen to ungrateful students selfishly talk about their new bigger better ipod, tv, personal dvd player, clothes, shoes, etc. when they had many of those things already. What would it be like to be young and have to worry about food, a house, if your going to have electric or heat when you get home from school..........I wouldn't know. But as I sit and listen to these kids I am grateful for the blessings God has given me over the years. I am humbled and ashamed by my own desires for frivelous things (a new camera or a Dyson vacuum). And while I work hard for my money.......I sometimes forget that God provides those things for me. None of it is mine, it's His. I have bought my students hats and gloves, I have bought them groceries, I give them little gifts but I am never uncomfortable. I am generous.......but I don't give to the point that it makes me uncomfortable. This season my prayer is that each of us bring a hint of joy into the lives of those less fortunate. To stretch out of your comfort zone, to put aside your own worldly desires, and to love others as Christ has called us to. Because there is nothing more fun than to hear the kids I work with at school talk about the "mystery bag of groceries" left on the porch or the "snow fairy" who brought them a warm coat and gloves. They appreciate it, they feel special, they feel loved. With the economy at an all time low..... look at your life, your spending, your thoughts and attitudes and realize that all over this country there are children who are trying to survive.......children who don't know the joy of Christmas. And while each of us may feel like money is tight........we have heat, we have food, we have clothes, we have a car that runs, and enough gas to drive where we need to. God has blessed us this season, what more do we really need?