Around Christmas, our thoughts turn to buying gifts, writing Christmas cards, planning the holiday meals and getting ready for Santa Claus to magically appear and bring gifts to the children. For many it is a time when the phrase, “it’s better to give than receive” becomes a very large part of their lives. Where did the phrase come originate? How do people honestly honor their feelings in regard to the phrase? The phrase comes from Acts 20:35 in the Bible. “I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Many people have grown up hearing that said and have taken it to heart by honoring their teachings and showing great feeling in helping those in need. During the holiday season, more than any other, people are reminded to share with those less fortunate. Some people don’t have the time to spend helping others but instead donate money to worthy causes like adopt-a-family and food for the hungry.

Other people use their time to actually buy for those who have less by participating in programs like adopt-a-family and other church programs. There are opportunities to give gifts to women in homeless shelters and provide gifts for their children. Other opportunities include buying gifts for those men and women in prison, such as toiletries and basic clothing like socks, toothbrushes and paste, deodorant and such personal items that are allowed by the prison system.

Christmas trees are displayed in stores where many Christmas presents are purchased during the season. Angel trees have paper angel hanging as decorations, with each angel bearing the name of a local family who would not have a Christmas without a stranger’s help. The specific needs, wants, suggestions and sizes are listed on each angel with a specific family that is available for shoppers to pick. After looking at different families and choosing which family the shopper wants to buy for, the paper angel is removed from the displayed Christmas tree.

When a family chooses a family to shop for, they in turn become that family’s Angel. Many families would not have a Christmas without those people who open up their hearts, care and share with those less fortunate. People, by spreading goodwill, show they believe it “IS better to give than to receive” and are putting their words into actions.

Just like the Angel trees, there are also Secret Santa trees, where people can share the toys they bought for their children with children who might not get a visit from Santa. Sometimes people, without children, choose names off the Santa tree to purchase toys for children they want to buy gifts for and sponsor.

Many people and organizations sponsor Secret Santa for children in families who are either poor, temporarily out of work, or have other special needs. Some of these organizations are police and fire departments, social services, churches, and schools. Secret Santa, Angel Trees, Toys for Tots are all ways that people can share their holiday spirit and show their belief in the saying, “it’s better to give than receive”.