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Most of these events get wide publicity both in the electronic and print media. But why is there no publicity to some of the charitable work that these organisations claim they do during the season? If they think that giving to the poor is a private matter then they are doing more damage than charity.
It is only well-known after all, if the message of giving is propagated during this season, then it will benefit many institutions and individuals who need assistance.
But the truth remains that not many of these so called BIG organisations or rich individuals actually carry the message of Christmas in that sense of the word. If they are doing, then it is in no big way to shout and scream about, so there is a total black-out of such matters to the press. For the simple reason that whatever that is given is not substantial enough to match their market image.
'Charity begins at home'. Then home is where it should all start at. If one can pay attention to one's poorer neighbours and provide in the best way you can share, then one has not only shared one's happiness but also carried forward the message of Christmas that is based on giving to the poor.
Such an attitude is of an overall importance, because as we all witness today, globally; times have changed for the worst. People are misplaced and turned into refugees not only because of internal strife within the countries they live in but also owing to natural disasters.
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We here in Sri Lanka learnt that bitter lesson two years ago when our own brothers and sisters were dragged and drowned to death by the reckless tsunami that happened the day after the grand Christmas celebrations which followed that year.
Today! Who ever that was left behind from those families which fell victim to that disaster has a nightmare to live throughout their lives. It is true that we, you and me, can do very little individually but at least there is one thing we can spare for all those who were left behind and live in pain.
At least our thoughts should go out to remember them and tone down whatever loud plans we have to celebrate. This is also true about the thousands of displaced persons who have lost their homes owing to the strife of disturbances existing in the north and the east. Some of those families who have lost all ground are living under difficult conditions with relatives, here in Colombo.
It is not going to be an easy task if we sit up to take notice of all these goings-on around us and trim and tailor the good times we probably can afford, rather than say entitled to. After all why should we curtail the happiness of our children at times like this by thinking of all the bad consequences that have befallen upon others?
But by being generous and kind at times such as these, specially when we are celebrating the birth of a sage who showed us the joy of sharing and forgiveness, we may well be able to set an example even amongst our own children by showing them the deeper meaning that Christmas stands for. A message that can beacon and light up our lives long after we switch off the decorative illumination that lit up the Christmas tree.
The need and reason to curtail our temptation to indulge just does not exist only within our immediate surroundings. It is echoing back from all sides of the world. Floods that have displaced thousands, earthquakes that have caused deaths of many and made others homeless.
The world is becoming more and more disaster prone and instead of jumping with joy that we have been spared, it is our duty to heed to the appeal of the needy that has fallen victim to such circumstances for no fault of theirs.
It is not a possibility for individuals like us to attend to colossal tasks of feeding the hungry or housing the
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homeless or attending to the sick and injured in major ways as any NGO or other organisations could.
But we can buy a few toys and distribute them among street children, who probably had not had that luxury since they saw the light of day in this world. Give away all your old but wearable clothes to the many needy that you meet on the streets.
Share some Christmas goodies with the underprivileged, so they will remember that it is Christmas; not only for those who can afford but also for those who can afford to share. It is a terrific feeling that will come over you if you genuinely believe that giving at Christmas will spread happiness around.
Believe strongly! That all those people who are begging on the streets without a roof over their heads, to shelter them from sun and rain making them suffer hit by the cold and chilly nights that the season brings along; will not be going through all that if they had the slightest opportunity of living under better conditions.
Do not overlook the fact that there are many who will not ask but will appreciate a gift of joy because they simply cannot afford to celebrate Christmas. If we genuinely look around for the needy it is no big deal to find, not one; but many. It is only natural that we tend to purposely look at people with suspicion, simply as an excuse not to give.
But our criteria should stand to merely give without expectations, not taking into account whether the people we are giving are going to wish us eternal bliss in return for whatever we gave them. It should simply represent the strength and courage that is within us which makes us carry out that exercise and give us confidence of our strength as human beings, to part with something towards others who has lost all of theirs.
It is no strange sight to see people enjoying Christmas in a grand scale, while some of their extended family; who cannot afford and have fallen out owing to some old family feud are living in gloomy conditions, without even being able to meet their daily expenses.
For families with such events in their lives there will not be a better time in the year than this to set aside their differences and reach out to bring your poor relatives into the fold. Since it is also a family affair it gives you wider scope to put aside differences reaching out to your estranged relatives.
I know of a lady who has the milkman delivering her daily quota of milk, upon learning that a wife of a drug addict living in the slums within the vicinity of her home she immediately ordered another extra bottle and saw to it that it was delivered to the poor home of the expecting mother. The trend did not stop upon the arrival of the baby but continued until the mother continued to breastfeed her child.
Now all this happened without a request or appeal or any expectations in return. This event can stand as a fine example to anyone who wants to help and make use of this Christmas to do so. We all want to look at the brighter side of events and accumulate as much as materially as possible to make ourselves happy.
We should stop to think! That we are lucky to be able to experience what comforts life has to offer, if we only open our eyes to see the misery around us all over the world.
The life of Christ teaches us many things. His birth teaches us that born in such conditions does not mean that leaders and sages can not be made following such events. To us it should mean that every child born in poverty is a future hope of making this place a better place for mankind.
It is pointless you attending religious rituals like Holy Mass at midnight if you are walking past the underprivileged holding with your head high in the air. All your thanksgiving to the Almighty Lord will be in vain if you fail to attend to the people who have less than you on a sacred day as Christmas.
Christmas is not a time to merely wish the best for others. It is the only time that we can, at least make a few of those wishes come true!
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