25 Ways to Give – December 1st

Happy Christmas Dear Reader,

As we make the ponderous journey through December I am hoping to encourage others to give things eternal as gifts. Last year we visited with Dickens and considered 25 Thoughts on “A Christmas Carol.” This year I hope to inspire myself and others to give from the places that truly matter. I will make mankind my business and ask you to do the same. Let us begin with something very easy.

Even though many of the sites are open and manned, there are still many shifts at Salvation Army kettles that need bell ringers. Every two hour shift that the kettles are not attended signifies a loss of hundreds of dollars. This loss limits the funds available to shelter the homeless and feed the hundreds of hungry the noble organization serves.

It is not too late for us to go ring bells. I am asking that you gather some friends and sign up for just one shift. My family does this every year. We gather, sing, and watch as people’s spirits are lifted. We get too cold and then go out for a hot breakfast. It is joyous and fulfilling. You do not have to do anything but show up, ring bells, and go home.

To make it even easier, here is the site that will let you sign up. www.ringbells.org Please, give it a try. If you do, I would love to hear about it. You could even take pictures and send them to me. Remember that during this time of year “many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts..." (Dickens, A Christmas Carol)

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a home owner. He brings new and old things out of his treasure store."