Thursday, December 20, 2007

Christmas Cheer

Christmastime excites me. The lights, the food, the family, the gift wrapping, the seasonal drinks at Starbucks.
Especially the seasonal drinks at Starbucks.
I like the feelings in the air, and the experience of the holidays.
However, the thing I like the most about Christmastime is seeing people bless others out of the goodness of their own hearts. This makes me smile.
My brother was telling me about the elementary schoolers at his school, and what they do for their "favorite janitor" (they only have one full time janitor at his school). Each student brings in money for this man, because they all love him. My brother said that last year they gave him over a thousad dollars. I know those students have blessed this man's life in so many ways, and I always find myself smiling at stories like this one.
A bank in North Dakota gives employees Christmas bonuses of 1000 dollars. The bonus comes with a video camera. The employees are required to spend every cent of their bonus on someone else, someone in need. A single parent, at the homeless shelter, anything. The employees have to document with the video cameras how they bless others through their Christmas bonuses. I wish there were more stories like this.
I hope that Christmas is a time of giving out of willingness, not out of obligation. Emotions are contagious, and Christmas Cheer is worth spreading.

=] Ambie