When we see the holidays approaching, what is it exactly that we expect to get out of it? For most people, the typical answers would be gifts, food, time with the family and even, time off of work. While these answers are all reasonable, why do we tend to ignore what the “holiday spirit” is really about? If we were to look at the story of Santa Claus, you would notice that on Christmas Eve, he delivered gifts to everyone, not just his friends, not just his family but everyone. The point I’m trying to make is this. Knowing that it was a special time of the year, he went out of his way to serve the people. In his case, they were just gifts that people wanted. Now, let’s make this example relevant to what we experience, or should be experiencing, during the holidays.

Of course everyone wants their gifts so they can be happy, but what happened to the people with needs…not wants but needs? Are they gathered around a large table with a turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, etc.? Do they have a Christmas tree in their home that they decorate? Are they going to bed early so they can wake up and unwrap their gifts? The answer to these questions is no. We are so used to living this lifestyle, that we don’t even realize it for our own good, or others, in this case.

Do I need to, honestly, remind you how people in third-world countries are living? Well, let me tell you how, not only they are living throughout the year but how they are living during the holidays. While you’re having dinner with your family, they are scouring around the area looking for food. While you are opening gifts Christmas morning, they are praying that their eyes would open the next day. While you are off of work, they are working hard to create shelter and to feed their families what they can. While you spend time with your family, they could only wish to have all of their family next to them but can’t due to fatal diseases that they have no cure for.

So, let’s think about this for a second. We’re living our lives in luxury and others in need are living theirs below poverty. If you can’t extend a hand to someone or a family in a third-world country, remember that their are people with the same needs here, though shown through our culture. There’s homeless people that have no water to shower with, no shelter to sleep under, no food to eat and no family to support them.

Let’s do our part this year and ever year thereafter to provide individuals and families with necessities. A few ways to do that is to volunteer at a homeless shelter, at a food pantry or even a church. Many churches this time of year are working with families in need through their ministries. Let’s be the God-given nation that we’re supposed to be and serve others before we serve ourselves.

For those who are searching the Internet for info about vacation home, please check out the site which is mentioned in this line.