I’m posting part of an email letter from my friend John Lyon, President of World Hope International. It reminds us all to keep in mind those in our world who have so little this Christmas season. I have taught for years that every American Christian should have a regular donor relationship with a charity that helps people in the third world. Our church here at Copper Hill United Methodist sends some gifts through UMCOR. My wife and I had already sent our annual Christmas gift to World Hope as a part of our Christmas gift giving. I have traveled just a little in third world countries — but enough to understand first-hand how we in our comfy North American culture take totally for granted what we enjoy every day, starting with simple amenities like drinkable running water in our houses.
Here’s the quote from John’s letter.
“This Christmas was my 8-month old son’s first. It was a joy watching his eyes light up with the tree, his thrill at opening presents, and his curious mind taking in all the action. But as I celebrated our Savior’s birth with my son, my wife and our families, I couldn’t help but reflect on how different our Christmas looked than many others. We had a roof over our head, a warm house to sleep in and food flowing from the kitchen (with leftovers for weeks!) We had clean water to drink, wash our dishes and take showers with. Had my son been sick, we could have taken him to our neighborhood doctor’s office without a second thought. We exchanged gifts – a privilege foreign to many.
It’s not often we stop to recognize how blessed we truly are. Not just because we have a Christmas tree – but because we have electricity. Not just because we have a Christmas dinner – but because we have food at all.”