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