Spreading
Goodwill at Christmas
The real meaning of Christmas, the season of good
cheer, is about giving especially to provide some
assistance to those who need help for their daily
survival and who therefore don't have the material
resources to enjoy the Christmas season. The
importance of giving to those in need during
Christmas is embodied in the story of Jesus' birth,
which is the reason Christmas is celebrated.
For Christians, Jesus was born to save mankind from
sin by giving
everlasting Salvation to all who believe in the Word
of God and chose to follow the principles for living
in the Bible. Jesus therefore gave in the ultimate
way - he offered himself as a sacrifice for every
living person. Christians therefore believe that
Christmas should be about following the example of
Jesus by giving of oneself to others, especially to
those who are in need.
The Christmas season should therefore be about
spreading goodwill and good cheer. This purpose of
Christmas is very significant because research by
social service organizations has shown that
Christmas happens to be a high time for depression
among the have-nots, among people with problems and
others who just don't have the means and resources
to enjoy the merriment of the holidays.
The hundreds of Santa letters written by children
are often a sad
testament to the many unmet needs of families and
individuals during the festive Christmas and holiday
times. Just about every child is told the story of
Santa Claus, or hears about him because his presence
is everywhere at Christmas. And up to the age of 7
to 8 years, most children believe the story about
Santa Claus bringing toys and other gifts. That's
the reason why so many young children often write
letters to Santa at Christmas time in which the
innocently plead for toys and other gifts because
they their parents or other relatives will not be
able to give them those Christmas toys or Christmas
gifts that they want.
Thankfully there are many volunteer and charitable
efforts carried out by groups and corporations that
seek to fulfill the needs of children and also of
adults during the Christmas season. One of the most
notable organizations that do such charitable work
is the Salvation Army, which has a history of giving
service to those in need.
According to The Salvation Army's website, the
organization as known today was started in 1865 by a
Methodist minister, William Booth and his wife
Catherine.
They formed a group that preached, provided food and
shelter to the homeless, the hungry and to
alcoholics in need of recovery services. The
services were provided in London's East End. Booth
and his followers, first known as 'The Christian
Mission,' started to use The Salvation Army name in
1878.
The Salvation Army is now uniquely associated with
the Christmas season through its many
representatives who dress up as Santa Claus and
stand outside retail establishments ringing their
bells while they kindly seek donations from shoppers
to help the poor at Christmas.
Individuals also play Santa Claus at Christmas time
and help out those in need by donating toys and
gifts through their companies, other business
enterprises such as banks or through their local
municipality. These groups usually all have a box or
an area where new toys or clothing can be dropped
off and the items are then donated to families in
need or to social service providers for distribution
to the needy during the Christmas season.
Along with much charitable giving at Christmas time,
other public interest groups also work hard to
inform and educate consumers about avoiding the
after Christmas blues. This is often experienced in
January when the bills and debts are due as a result
of all the spending, much of it on credit, that is
done for the holidays.
These groups try to spread goodwill and cheer in a
different way. They try to provide educational
information on spending responsibly during the
Christmas season with the hope that the happiness
and good feeling enjoyed during the season can also
carry over after Christmas and not be spoiled by the
burden of having huge bills to pay.