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How are you bringing Christmas to life?

Posted on December 4, 2009 12:00 AM MST by Sara Richardson

Sometimes it feels like there are so many needs in the world, it’s completely overwhelming. I know people who are suffering. From broken relationships. From extreme financial stress. From depression. From fear. And today I’m feeling helpless. This is a great big world with even bigger problems and there is no way for me to meet so many needs. No way for me to offer money to everyone who needs it, a home to everyone who is sleeping out in the cold. No way to provide hope to person who is weighted down by despair. I am an optimist, a positive thinker, a fixer, but even I have to face my own personal limitations and inadequacies. There are so many people I cannot help. And I hate that.

I love this time of year, when the kids are so excited and the ground is covered in a glitter-infused blanket of crisp, white snow. I love the Christmas music, the festive decorations, the busy preparations for enjoying the holiday with family and friends. I love parties and fun. But this year I’ve been haunted by the knowledge that this is not a magical time for everyone. For some it’s dark. And lonely. And extremely painful. Maybe it’s on my mind because of what my family was facing two years ago. Sadness. Helplessness. A difficult road that not even the magic of Christmas could change. Maybe that time in my life expanded my capacity to feel the pain of others.

Though I might feel it, I’m still left wondering what to do. How to help. Every year we participate in Operation Christmas Child. We give to a couple of different ministries that are making a difference in the lives of people around the world. We pray. But I still think there must be more we can do. So I need ideas. Inspiration. Encouragement. What are you doing this year to bring joy to the heart of another? What are you doing to make this a better Christmas for someone else? What do you want to do? What do you dream of doing to change someone else’s life?