Getting and giving

Jesus, help me share whatever I can, at Christmas and always! Amen.

John the Baptist was teaching people that Jesus was coming soon, and they were excited. "What can we do to get ready?" they asked. John told them: "Whoever has two coats, give one to the person who has none. If you have food, give away the extra. Don't take more money than you need, and be happy with what you have."

Christmas is coming, and kids everywhere are trying to be extra good. That means it's the perfect time of year to start new habits -- like giving to people who don't have as much as you -- which you can keep doing long after Christmas is over!

People have been working on sharing what they have for thousands of years. In this week's Gospel (Luke 3:10-18), even John the Baptist gives suggestions on how to share.

John's ideas still work today:

* John said that whoever had an extra coat should give it to someone without one. Has your family gone through your clothes lately to see what doesn't fit or isn't worn? There are plenty of places to bring extra clothes for kids who are cold this winter.

* John talks about giving away extra food. Lots of parish groups are holding food drives this year; if yours isn't, you can still collect canned goods to give to those who are hungry.

* "Don't take more money than you need" can be hard to understand. How much money is "enough" for you? John would probably say that if your allowance is piling up in a bank, you have enough to put a little in a holiday collection for the needy.

* Being happy with what you have is especially important at Christmas. Nobody gets every present they wish for, so prepare to spend Christmas morning enjoying what you have, instead of planning next year's Christmas list already!

There's a lot of "getting" around Christmastime, but it's supposed to be about giving.