Happy Sunday everyone!

Hope everyone is on the downward strait now with all their Christmas preparations.
It's weird, we all rush around like mad things stocking up on enough food, paper, boxes, anti freeze, drink and a hundred other things for Christmas when really the main event is only one day and nowadays the shops are open Christmas even, shut[even then the odd one opens] Christmas Day, and then open again Boxing Day, so really we only need to think of one day's stuff. Why oh why do we keep doing it,lol!

Here is a few pauses for though for you this year. They are not meant in any way to put a damper on your Christmas spirit or your celebratory mood but act as maybe a bit of a grounding in the whirring round

We sing carols and Christmas songs, or read about frost and snow, winter being all cold, us getting all wrapped up snuggly and warm, eating and drinking plenty and making merry, about , if we are Christians, the nativity and the visits to the stable of the shepherds and the wise men, and we enjoy doing that, safe in the knowledge that we are safe to do that, that we ,after, will return to our nice warm homes, be able to sit down to a hot tea and cuppa, in our big woolly jumpers or pyjamas.
BUT that is not the case for everyone in the world.  In some countries even in this so called liberal and enlightened society, even whispering that you are a Christian can get you put into prison, never mind singing a carol at full voice. In some countries, even our own, Christmas day is just like any other day, scrounging through bins for scraps of leftover food, trying to find a not too draughty doorway in which to shelter from the cold for a little time before a policeman moves you on. For some, addiction has taken such a hold that some people have lost everything and so they have no family to be with, no money to buy food, no  clothes without holes , so no Christmas dinner, crackers and presents for them.  For some this year will bring as a result of natural disaster, a Christmas spent in a emergency shelter, not knowing when they will have a home to call their own again.  For some, Christmas is just too painful a time to think about as the memories they associate with it may be full of abuse,or neglect. Some may have lost a loved one at Christmas and so Christmas may always bring a sadness to them. Some may be struggling just to keep a roof over their head and so haven't any money for any little Christmas food or presents for their children
All these people are just as worthy and valuable in our world as we are.  This year, while you are enjoying celebrating the festive season, just pause for a moment and count your blessings that you are in the position that you can be celebrating.  Perhaps it might be an idea that when you are shopping, pop a few extra tins of soup or a couple of Christmas treats in your trolley then donate them to the local homeless shelter or give them to someone who is struggling this Christmas. Have a look through your wardrobe. Is there anything that you don't wear anymore or you have grown out of that you could donate to a charity shop or give to someone who hasn't had money for clothes or shoes because they have been struggling to pay the bills ? Could you perhaps make a big pan of soup or stew, maybe a few mince pies and take them to a charity which provides a hot meal or food to thoe who struggle to find the money for food?
Another idea is this. Have you maybe an hour or two a week to spare? Charity organisations are always on the lookout for people to help out  in their shops or at a service that helps those on the streets e.g soup kitchen . Places like the Salvation Army often open their doors to people on their own for a Christmas meal or such like, perhaps they might appreciate a hand at these times. Or, on a lesser note, perhaps someone who lives in your neighbourhood lives on their own with no family or friends with whom to spend Christmas day, why not invite them over to share in your festivities?
Helping those who struggle in some way should be ingrained in our very being as  if you fell on hard times, were living with loneliness or  the prospect of  not being able to give your family some kind of Christmas, wouldn't you like to think there would be a hand stretching out who wanted to help you?