As we get closer to Christmas, the mania and insanity starts to escalate in the shopping malls and stores in the area.  Those last minute shoppers are running around trying to find the perfect gift and there are also shoppers who still have a few people left on their long gift lists.

The reason we go through all this is because, traditionally, Christmas is a time of giving.

We all hand out gifts to friends and family hoping to make this season special. But is that really giving?

There are so many people in the parish and this country that do not have the means or wherewithal to participate in the traditional madness of Christmas shopping. Maybe instead of showering our family and friends with gifts that will eventually be forgotten or tossed away, we should concentrate on giving gifts that really make a difference and change a person’s life.

It’s so easy to donate money to a good cause in the name of a friend or family member. Instead of slaving over a stove to cook the traditional Christmas meal, we could go to the local soup kitchen and help serve food to those that could never afford the food or kitchen needed to prepare such a meal. We can go next door to that lonely elderly neighbor and offer to help them with household chores, take them shopping, or just sit there and talk with them. Loneliness is a terrible way to spend the holidays, and most people just want the comfort and gift of human companionship.

Yes, we have plenty of charities and drives to help out those in need, and a lot of us donate our money and time to these organizations. That is a good thing, but, maybe we spend more time worrying about buying that hard-to-find video game or a brand new television instead of wondering what we can do to help our fellow man.

This is the time of peace on Earth and good will toward man, which are wonderful concepts. Wouldn’t it be really wonderful if we felt this way all year round and not just one month. Think of  what could be accomplished if we really cared for our fellow man. Merry Christmas.