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