| The real meaning of Christmas, the season of | | | | |
| good cheer, is about giving especially to | | | | According to The Salvation Army's website, |
| provide some assistance to those who need | | | | the organization as known today was started |
| help for their daily survival and who | | | | in 1865 by a Methodist minister, William |
| therefore don't have the material resources | | | | Booth and his wife Catherine. They formed a |
| to enjoy the Christmas season. The importance | | | | group that preached, provided food and |
| of giving to those in need during Christmas | | | | shelter to the homeless, the hungry and to |
| is embodied in the story of Jesus' birth, | | | | alcoholics in need of recovery services. The |
| which is the reason Christmas is celebrated. | | | | services were provided in London's East End. |
| | | | Booth and his followers, first known as 'The |
| For Christians, Jesus was born to save | | | | Christian Mission,' started to use The |
| mankind from sin by giving everlasting | | | | Salvation Army name in 1878. |
| Salvation to all who believe in the Word of | | | | |
| God and chose to follow the principles for | | | | The Salvation Army is now uniquely associated |
| living in the Bible. Jesus therefore gave in | | | | with the Christmas season through its many |
| the ultimate way - he offered himself as a | | | | representatives who dress up as Santa Claus |
| sacrifice for every living person. Christians | | | | and stand outside retail establishments |
| therefore believe that Christmas should be | | | | ringing their bells while they kindly seek |
| about following the example of Jesus by | | | | donations from shoppers to help the poor at |
| giving of oneself to others, especially to | | | | Christmas. |
| those who are in need. | | | | |
| | | | Individuals also play Santa Claus at |
| The Christmas season should therefore be | | | | Christmas time and help out those in need by |
| about spreading goodwill and good cheer. This | | | | donating toys and gifts through their |
| purpose of Christmas is very significant | | | | companies, other business enterprises such as |
| because research by social service | | | | banks or through their local municipality. |
| organizations has shown that Christmas | | | | These groups usually all have a box or an |
| happens to be a high time for depression | | | | area where new toys or clothing can be |
| among the have-nots, among people with | | | | dropped off and the items are then donated to |
| problems and others who just don't have the | | | | families in need or to social service |
| means and resources to enjoy the merriment of | | | | providers for distribution to the needy |
| the holidays. | | | | during the Christmas season. |
| | | | |
| The hundreds of Santa letters written by | | | | Along with much charitable giving at |
| children are often a sad testament to the | | | | Christmas time, other public interest groups |
| many unmet needs of families and individuals | | | | also work hard to inform and educate |
| during the festive Christmas and holiday | | | | consumers about avoiding the after Christmas |
| times. Just about every child is told the | | | | blues. This is often experienced in January |
| story of Santa Claus, or hears about him | | | | when the bills and debts are due as a result |
| because his presence is everywhere at | | | | of all the spending, much of it on credit, |
| Christmas. And up to the age of 7 to 8 years, | | | | that is done for the holidays. |
| most children believe the story about Santa | | | | |
| Claus bringing toys and other gifts. | | | | These groups try to spread goodwill and cheer |
| | | | in a different way. They try to provide |
| That's the reason why so many young children | | | | educational information on spending |
| often write letters to Santa at Christmas | | | | responsibly during the Christmas season with |
| time in which the innocently plead for toys | | | | the hope that the happiness and good feeling |
| and other gifts because their parents or | | | | enjoyed during the season can also carry over |
| other relatives will not be able to give them | | | | after Christmas and not be spoiled by the |
| those Christmas toys or Christmas gifts that | | | | burden of having huge bills to pay. |
| they want. | | | | |
| | | | The real meaning of Christmas to many of us |
| Thankfully there are many volunteer and | | | | goes back to a manger in Bethlehem, where |
| charitable efforts carried out by groups and | | | | Christ the Lord, the newborn King, was born |
| corporations that seek to fulfill the needs | | | | to ultimately give us the greatest gift of |
| of children and also of adults during the | | | | all: Salvation in His name. What an awesome |
| Christmas season. One of the most notable | | | | gift for God almighty to send his only son. |
| organizations that do such charitable work is | | | | The birth of the King of Kings is truly the |
| the Salvation Army, which has a history of | | | | "reason for the season. |
| giving service to those in need. | | | | |