After a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration relaxing with family yesterday I woke up to front page accounts of new - but sadly not unexpected - Black Friday horror stories:
"Shoppers Brawl Over BARBIE Doll At WALMART"
"Cops Pry Women Off Of TVs"
"Shoppers Literally Stealing Items From Other People's Carts"
"Man Tries To Wrestle Away Home Theater System"
How disheartening. Could this questionable holiday "tradition" be any more removed from the true reason for the season?
"It is more blessed to give than to receive." To me Christmas has always been more about giving of oneself, less about giving of material goods that are not all that important in the scheme of things.
This year I will try to do more for others, give true gifts of time and service and to give whatever I can to my favorite causes:
Sisters of Life - a female Roman Catholic religious institute dedicated to the promotion of pro-life causes - pregnancy help and hope and healing after abortion.
St Jude Children's Hospital - founded in 1962, is a pediatric treatment and research facility focused on children's catastrophic diseases.
Wounded Warrior Project - a veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, service and events for wounded veterans of the military actions following the events of September 11, 2001.
Fisher House Foundation - provides military families housing close to a loved on during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury.
Shriners Hospitals for Children - a network of 22 medical facilities across North America. Children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay.
St Jude Children's Hospital - founded in 1962, is a pediatric treatment and research facility focused on children's catastrophic diseases.
Wounded Warrior Project - a veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, service and events for wounded veterans of the military actions following the events of September 11, 2001.
Fisher House Foundation - provides military families housing close to a loved on during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury.
Shriners Hospitals for Children - a network of 22 medical facilities across North America. Children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay.
I will not get caught up in the materialistic frenzy of the season and instead will focus on the good in people and all positive aspects of Christmas and most of all: the real reason for the season.
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