The Holiday Season has arrived. A time for happy smiles and joyous song for many. But to some it will a first holiday season without a loved one, without a home, and to some a season without hope. Keep in prayer those less fortunate than you. Offer a helping hand to someone in need. I remember when my daughter was quite young, she had been watching TV and noticing the ads to help those that santa couldn’t visit that year. She asked “mom, why doesn’t santa visit poor people”. We talked a long time about how some people had nothing and she was so touched she wouldn’t walk past a Red Bucket without dropping in something, even if she could only find a dime, it went into the bucket. I was so proud of her caring and compassionate ways.

There are ways you can help. Volunteer at a local shelter; fulfill a child’s request by taking a name and list from a tree at many of the local stores. Get the name of a family from local charities and provide their Christmas meal and gifts. The list goes on and on.

More important than material gifts, remember the gift of life given to us through Jesus Christ. Like the gifts we place under our trees, this gift is free for you. Don’t leave Jesus in the manger or under your tree. Invite Him into your life and accept His gift of love and salvation never-ending.

Wishing you a beary Merry Christmas