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Christmas is a time
when families come together, homes are decked out with Christmas trees
decorated with tinsel, ornaments and lights, sumptuous meals are
prepared and carols waft through the air as people dash about for their
last minute shopping spree.

In a sense, it has
become all about money; amidst it all, it is so easy to lose sight of
the true meaning of Christmas. What can you do this year that
epitomises the true spirit of Christmas?

Teach your children the gift of giving

We all love to see
the excitement on our children’s faces on Christmas Eve or Christmas
morning, ripping the wrapping paper off their presents. The experience
of receiving piles of gifts makes them believe that they must have lots
of new things for Christmas to be perfect. Try to emphasise the
non-material aspects of the season, such as family, fellowship, and
thoughtfulness.

It is not enough to
just tell our kids to be charitable and kind. Sometime during this
season, perhaps you can find time to visit an orphanage, a homeless
shelter, an old people’s home, or some of the flood victims who
recently lost everything that they owned.

Our actions in
supporting others will speak louder than any thing we can say. We must
guide them through a programme of action that becomes ingrained into
their psyche. It teaches them a powerful lesson about kindness and
generosity and that their money or talent can have a positive effect on
the wellbeing of others. It will also show them graphically how lucky
they are; they can take so much for granted.

A thoughtful gesture

The high cost of
living and unemployment means that many Nigerians face a dismal
Christmas and cannot afford a special meal on Christmas day. If as you
shop, your trolley is overflowing with goodies, why not shop for
another family that faces really difficult times and then have it
delivered to their doorstep.

There are so many
people in need of the simple things that so many of us may take for
granted. Think about all the food that goes to waste on Christmas day
and what a difference it would make to the numerous homeless people who
would be glad for a decent meal and some of the clothes you don’t need.

Elderly cheer

Have you ever
visited an old peoples’ home in Nigeria? Get a few friends, put some
money together, and take some gifts and treats to the elderly who have
found themselves in one of the old peoples’ homes in the country, in
spite of our extended family system. Cheer them up; the gift of
happiness and good stimulating company for an old person who might be
lonely during Christmas would make such a difference.

Give back through philanthropy

The definition of a philanthropist is “someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes.”

By giving back to
your community, religious organisations, for education, for sports, or
for the arts, you afford yourself the opportunity and indeed the
privilege of making a positive impact on other people’s lives. Material
possessions will eventually lose their shine, but through philanthropy,
one can help others, and can shape, or even save lives.

Decide what causes
you may want to support and then review your finances to decide how
much you can afford to give. Will it be a one off donation this
Christmas or is it something you can continue to commit to year on
year.

Narrow your choices
down to a few charities or causes you feel comfortable with and do some
research on them to ensure that their ethos and mission is in
consonance with your core values; then choose say one or two to
support. Try to follow up to see how your donation is being used.

Give to your alma mater

Do you often
reminisce about how things used to be at your old school and how far
standards have fallen? Why don’t you do something about it? With an
endowed gift, you can provide permanent support for the educational
institution. Your contributions will be invested and each year a
distribution made to fund the programme or area that matches your
interest in a particular field of study.

Once it is
officially established, you or anyone else may continue to add to the
fund at any time. You may also decide to, through the title, forever
link your name or that of a family member to excellence at the college.
You contribution will go a long way in improving the standards of
education so badly needed in our country.

Give of your time

Even if you have
had a really hard year and it sounds absurd to even conisder giving
what you don’t have, focus instead of being grateful for what you have.
If you look around, you will find that there is always someone worse
off than you are.

Giving does not
mean that you must give only financially; there are several ways to
give meaningfully. The possibilities of giving of your time,
experience, talent, and intellect are endless and by sharing your
knowledge with others, you can add value to your community in this way.

As we get caught up in the whirlwind of festivity, socialising, and
present buying, it is little wonder that we often forget the true
meaning of Christmas. How can you make a difference? If you haven’t
been doing much for others before now, Christmas is a good time to
start. As we prepare for Christmas, let us not forget what we have been
given; God’s gift of His Son Jesus Christ. This Christmas, let us be a
blessing to others. Merry Christmas!