How Can We Spread the Joy of Christmas? By Samuel Hiers

Does anyone know what Christmas is all about? What does it really mean? Well, you can think of it however you interpret it, but maybe it could be about helping others and giving to those who need help or are struggling. Maybe we could spread holiday joy by giving to those who are not so fortunate.

Christmas. It is a word that almost certainly has resonated with everyone as being the holiday and the season known as “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”. Take a short moment and think to yourself, what are the first words or traditions that come to mind when you think about Christmas? You’re probably already thinking the obvious: a tree, gifts, stockings, snowfall, Santa, carols and songs, “a turkey and some mistletoe”, and many more are all synonymous with the holiday and are traditions that help to make the season bright. They bring back joyful memories, help us forget all our troubles, and, in general, spread the Christmas spirit and cheer to all who need it.

In the end, however, those little things like jolly elves and flying reindeer are quite meaningless compared to a deeper question about Christmas: Does anyone know what Christmas is all about? What does it really mean? Well, you can think of it however you interpret it, but maybe it could be about helping others and giving to those who need help or are struggling. Maybe we could spread holiday joy by giving to those who are not so fortunate. So sit back, get comfy under your blanket by “an open fire”, and be inspired by how others are spreading Christmas cheer.

First, think about how many people there are that don’t get to experience warmth and tradition this season. For as many families that have a tree, a pile of gifts, and a warm fireplace to huddle around this season, there are families who have no home or cannot afford these “luxuries”. In fact, there are some that don’t have a family at all to spend time with. Just think: Do I want to spread Christmas cheer to everyone this season? Do I want to give back to those who cannot give themselves? Do I want the hopeless to feel loved this season? Well, of course you can, and it is easier than you think! Whether it may be a simple act of kindness or a huge donation, there are so many ways to easily give back to the unfortunate communities and families out there.

Without a doubt, it can be said that children are the people most in need of having a joyous Christmas and having their Christmas wishes come true. During the holidays, there are many children out there who are underserved, undernourished, hospitalized, very sick, are in critical condition, homeless, have no parents, do not have access to proper education, and much more. This season, you can kindly help this unfortunate population by sending and donating gifts, toys, food, providing shelter, school supplies, and much more. Here are some organizations you can check out that helps kids during this time:

• Angel Tree provides presents for children who have parents in prison, and takes donations to serve an overlooked population. 
• Samaritan’s Purse is an organization that provides “shoeboxes” full of toys, hygiene, school supplies, clothes, and more to children internationally, overseas, and in countries that are hard to reach. You can customize a shoebox yourself to send to a child in need.
• It’s always hard to think what Christmas is like for children who are sick or in the hospital, without their families and away from home. Thankfully, many organizations are here to help through donations and other means. You can donate games and consoles to Child’s Play, which provides hospitalized children with new games, and you can give money to the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help a sick child get to see their family on Christmas. You can also send holiday cards to children through St. Jude to let them know you hope they get better.
• Feed My Starving Children helps provide nutrition and nourishment for undernourished kids this season. You can help by donating food to pack and ship.
• Orphans and children in the foster care system are often overlooked, but they are the ones who do not usually receive gifts during the holidays. One Simple Wish, however, is an organization that can help you get in touch and connect with these poor children and help come up with the perfect gifts to send for them.

Not only should we think about children during Christmas, but we should also think of their families as well, who could be impacted by struggles with their children, natural disasters, poverty, being in the military, financial struggles, depression, and so much more. Here are some more ways you can help spread the Christmas cheer to others, and some organizations you can check out as well:

• By donating money to Pay the Layaway, you can help pay off needy families’ layaway balances and can thus provide them time to buy holiday gifts for one another.
• Some elderly individuals, however, do not have families and are taken care of in nursing homes, which have induced a feeling of loneliness in them. Maybe we could spend our free time this season by paying visits to nursing homes near us and give the elderly a feeling of happiness, remembrance, and joy.
• Some workers, sadly, do not get the time off with family that we all have this season, like first responders, firefighters, police officers, and other essential workers. Maybe we could bring or donate lunches to them as they go to work and sweeten their hard days ahead.
• The Clean Cooking Alliance accepts donations of clean cooking conditions to underserved and impoverished families during the holidays.
• Families in the United States Armed Forces and the U.S. military have done so much for our country, and sometimes it is right to give back to those who have served. The Christmas Spirit Foundation accepts donations of Christmas trees that can be provided as free to military families, and Operation Christmas Spirit allows others to “adopt” military families and to provide gifts for their kids and cards to help them out.
• Some areas, like those in California, Florida, Kentucky, and Louisiana right now are still recovering from devastating and unexpected natural disasters, and some families impacted do not have time to prepare a “holly, jolly Christmas” for one another. Operation Blessing helps impacted families by making donations and providing for their needs.
• Action Aid, Direct Relief, and other numerous organizations all help meet the needs of families who are in financial distress, have low income, or are in poverty. You can send gifts of healing and love to these families this season by purchasing Christmas cards, which can help donate money to those in need around the world, or donate and start fundraisers to raise money for those in poverty.

In the end, these inspiring actions can all help us come to realize that we can do our part and take action to make the season brighter for all those who are needy and hopeless. Maybe if we could send “hope, joy, peace, and love” to not just the children and families who are struggling right now, but to our neighbors, friends, and everyone this holiday season, we could really understand the true meaning of Christmas – the joy of giving and happiness with one another. Maybe then there would really be peace on Earth and goodwill toward men.