Give You.

It's hard coming to terms with the reality that I can't be and we can't do everything for everyone. The reality is that many people live in crappy situations. There are any number of reasons that cause people and families to end up in broken homes, literally. There are families on my street and children at my school that have lives I will never understand. It breaks my heart when I think about what Christmas is for those in need. Christmas is a time for some fathers and mothers to see that they in fact cannot provide for their families. Christmas is a time to have well meaning families buy your kids Christmas presents and make you feel two feet tall because you can't afford to. Christmas is time for immigrant families to watch others travel to see loved ones when they cannot because it's too dangerous. Christmas is a time for families who can barely get by as it is to sink into debt just to prove they aren't poor like other people.

This Christmas, don't just give a monetary gift to a child or a family in need, that doesn't really cost you anything. Give something that costs you everything. Give you. Invite someone who can't be with their family over on Christmas. Become friends with someone who isn't like you at all. If you are serving meals at the Salvation Army, actually pursue a conversation with a dinner guest. You never know where it might lead. This Christmas give the gift of dignity. It's something that everyone deserves, and most will never get.