|
A Time to Give Thanks
Thanksgiving in many ways marks the beginning of the Christmas season, even though the First Sunday of Advent is still a week away. Next to the turkeys and cranberry sauce on grocery store shelves are also bags of candy canes and discount cookie cutters. Wreaths and “holiday” sales are already under way, yet Thanksgiving has just arrived.
In today’s society, where this very special season has become more materialistic and secular, we seem to have made the jump from Halloween to “the Holidays.” The words ‘Thanksgiving’ and ‘Christmas’ are mere blurbs amongst the hustle and bustle of the shopping season.
But it is to our delight that we remind ourselves, and others, about the meaning of Thanksgiving and what our real treasures are. We must not miss the chance to stop and be thankful for what we have before we worry about what we want to add on to our Christmas lists.
Let us remember to be thankful if we already have what we need — a warm home, food, good health and loved ones. Remember that the Pilgrims came to escape religious prejudice and discrimination. Even though much in today’s society has turned hostile against religion, we still have the freedom to worship, and this should be what we are thankful for most.
After we have considered this, let us share with others these blessings. Perhaps this means not just sharing our possessions, but also our time. Maybe that can be spent in giving, volunteering, helping a neighbor, visiting a shut-in or less fortunate.
Hopefully on Thanksgiving Day, you have enjoyed a fine meal in the company of family or friends. If it has left you rejuvenated and with a warm feeling of well-being, you have been blessed. Thank God for the things that are both big and small.
Out of the whole year, it seems we only have a month to contemplate on what we have to be thankful for before we welcome a New Year, and all of our attention is focused on a fresh start. Yet it is within this month that we celebrate two of the most important events in history — the birth of the first Thanksgiving and the birth of our Savior.
Take time to enjoy this special season and those with whom you share it.
Brighten Someone’s Christmas
Those of you who are regular donors to The Tablet’s Bright Christmas Fund have already received an invitation in the mail to help us once again brighten Christmas for the poor children in our diocese.
But Bright Christmas is not just for those who always give, but an opportunity for everyone to participate in an act of kindness during this Christmas season.
For more than 30 years, The Tablet has conducted its Bright Christmas drive to assist local pastors and other religious leaders and institutions at Christmas time. It’s very simple. We ask for money. Readers send it to us. We redistribute it as cash to others so that they can buy gifts for the children in their care.
Usually, this means pastors can better help a needy parent who comes to the rectory. Sometimes, parish youth groups distribute gifts to their members. In some cases, Christmas parties are sponsored at neighborhood day care centers conducted by Catholic Charities. Other times, a shelter may be able to provide to young people who use the facility.
Last year, we were able to send out about $125,000 from you, our readers, to help people right here in Brooklyn and Queens.
Already several notes of solicitation have arrived at our offices asking that we remember a particular group this Christmas. We help as many as we can, as long as the money holds out.
 Because Bright Christmas has been so successful, it has been honored several times by the national Catholic Press Association with its Best Campaign in the Public Interest Award. It’s a winner because our readers are winners and allow us to help people who this year may not have someone else to turn to.
Please help us once again this Christmas season. You do not need a letter of invitation to participate. Accept this as our request to you for help.
Last year, more than 3,000 readers sent in donations, which averaged $31.52 each. Some came by the hundreds, others by the ones. Be assured that every dollar counts.
Simply, write out a check to The Tablet’s Bright Christmas Fund and send it to The Tablet at 310 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, N.Y., 11215.
|
