07 November 2009
Give A Christmas Present Today
It's the end of the ancient British year as we move from the bright, warm summer period into the winter period. It's a time to reflect on where we are. As we move into the colder, winter months, it is a time to be thankful for what we have got and realise that everyone in Britain - yes everyone - is so lucky compared to many parts of the world.
It's a time to give something back, however small, however seemingly insignificant. Turn down your heating a bit and save the planet for future generations and other parts of the world. Or perhaps give something to charity.
We like to give Christmas boxes to children in poorer, more disadvantaged parts of the world. We do this through Samaritan's Purse which can be accessed via http://www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk/. This year we have given 2 boxes - one for a boy and another for a girl, i.e. one from each of our children.
We have decorated the boxes with some jolly wrapping paper and stuffed them full of gifts: a tennis ball, a pack of ballpoint pens, a pack of Haribo sweets, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, hair bobbles, a toy car, a toy doll and face towels. As the Steenberg family, we all hope that someone feels happy from the gift, yet even though we will never know, it is still a great feeling when you drop off the box at school or whichever drop-off point you choose.
Politicians fight wars, make people's lives miserable. They don't give presents from the heart. That's what individuals are for - go on make someone happy today.
