Like a few of you, I’ve been receiving my share of e-mail invitations to end-of-year giving. Here’s an excerpt from Jim Wallis on behalf of Sojourners:
I write this on Christmas night as I’ve just tucked my kids into bed. What a day it was! My two boys are nine and four, and were utterly caught up in the magic of Christmastime this year. We went with another family to the National Cathedral for the early Christmas Eve service last night, and then came home and huddled together all cozy in front of the Christmas tree to tell the story of this very special night.
The kids were excited that, after reading the biblical narrative and answering all their many questions, I could recite the poem, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” almost by heart before putting them to bed. “I can’t wait until morning,” they both exclaimed.
They were, of course, awake early, and rushed into our bedroom with their eyes full of anticipation. So we came downstairs, found their gifts from Santa, and then opened our family presents from one another. All were thrilled with what they received.
But then we went back upstairs to our family room for what is becoming a tradition in our young family. We went to the World Vision Web site and surveyed a wonderful assortment of gift options for families in the developing world. We carefully read about what a goat, pig, cow, llama, sheep, or fishing kit, or ducks or school supplies, could do for a poor family in Africa, Asia, or Latin America. Each of our boys got to decide what he would like to give this year and what we, as a family that was fortunate enough to have the gifts we had just received, could do.
When we went around the table before our special family dinner, we each shared the things we were thankful for this Christmas. Joy and I were both encouraged that the boys both named the gifts they were able to give to poor families, and for each other as a family, in addition to the exciting things they had just received. Luke asked why Santa didn’t spend more time in the poorest countries, and we had to quickly figure out an answer to that one.
I’ve worked for many years on the systemic solutions to the problems of global poverty and have never been satisfied only with individual acts of generosity, now matter how sincere. But, as a parent, I am more aware now than I was before of how such acts can shape young minds and hearts.
The most pressing, long-term spiritual contest for our generation is the spiritual formation of the next. They will make exponential strides in the fight against extreme poverty and injustice, if we model it for them and empower them to make a difference in their formative years.
If you’re looking for direction on your own end-of-year giving, here are some organizations I believe in:
Happy New Year, may the conspiracy of the kingdom of heaven work transformation in your world.
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