The Real Spirit of Giving

A woman in Indianapolis brought Christmas cheer to many people as she passed out money and paid off gifts on layaway for others.

How nice it is to hear of stories like this one in the article:

"The young father stood in line at the Kmart layaway counter, wearing dirty clothes and worn-out boots. With him were three small children.

He asked to pay something on his bill because he knew he wouldn't be able to afford it all before Christmas. Then a mysterious woman stepped up to the counter.

"She told him, 'No, I'm paying for it,'" recalled Edna Deppe, assistant manager at the store in Indianapolis. "He just stood there and looked at her and then looked at me and asked if it was a joke. I told him it wasn't, and that she was going to pay for him. And he just busted out in tears."

It is easy to focus on ourselves and our own families at this busy time of year, and forget to focus on the real spirit of Christmas.

Whether we have a lot to give or not, we can always do something. It doesn't have to be much. Think of something that you or your family can do: visit an older person who lives by themselves, invite someone to your home to share your Christmas meal, get a gift card or gifts for a family in need. Think of all the good that can be done if we all do a little something.