Features

The True Meaning of Christmas

Posted on: December 19, 2006

By Kim Ward

Every once in awhile, something happens which wakes us up and forces us to take a look at our lives and evaluate. Recently, I had a discussion with my oldest daughter Megan which was a defining moment.

Megan Ward

The topic was “What do you want for Christmas?” She began to list all the things that a normal teenager would want when she paused and said.

“I would like to buy a goat.”

For a brief moment I thought I had misunderstood her or was hearing for the first time the name of the newest must have gadget that no self-respecting teenager could live without.

“What was that, honey?” I get a little sappy when I am around my kids.

She went onto explain how she had seen on some daytime talk show how people could buy goats, chickens or cows for some family that was starving in a third world country. The animal would provide food for the family through milk and eggs. These items could also be sold in order to help these people financially.

For a moment I was in shock. I then asked her if she would be willing to give up her presents to do this. She began to cry. I started to feel like an uncaring and insensitive imbecile (to be honest, that’s normally the way I feel). I was about to cave in when she stated, “I am so happy.”

At this point the confusion was like an avalanche burying a surprised skier. For one of the few moments in my life I was incapable of forming any sort of thought. I reacted with a visceral sound. “Huh?!”

As my daughter began to explain how it would be an honor to give up something as trivial as Christmas gifts for the benefit of a family in need, I felt proud and choked on a tear or two myself.

My daughter reminded me of what Christmas is really all about. To sacrifice for the benefit of another is the true meaning that seems to have gotten lost. Christmas has gotten to be less and less meaningful for me each passing year. For the first time in a long time, thanks to my daughter, I can smile and feel a bit better about Christmas this year.

For those of you who would also be interested in donating an animal for a needy family, check out the following websites: Garden Harvest and World Vision .

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