4th December 2011 , Posted by Mandy
The Real Christmas Spirit
I love Christmas! I love the excitement that fills the air, the jingles and carols that permeate every shopping mall, and the oh-so-pretty decorations and lights. Somehow, it brings out a desire to spread love and joy to those around us. It is also a time when (hopefully) most of us pause to think about the less fortunate, and how to make Christmas just a little more joyful for them.
This is why December is one of the busiest times of the year for my office, a Christian humanitarian organisation that helps impoverished children worldwide. In the next two weeks, I will be on duty twice a week at the Tree of Life, an event that aims to raise awareness of the plight of children trapped in poverty in various parts of the world. If you’re going to be at NEX in these 2 weeks, do drop by and say hi! 
I'll be at the booth on 6, 8, 12 and 15 December, 1pm - 8pm! Come say hi!
Before I became a mom, I already had a great passion to help these children in need, as I had various opportunities to read about, and watch videos of, the grim realities they faced daily.
However, I never imagined that I would become waaaay more emotional after Cristan came along. Suddenly, everything that featured babies and children made me tear up – and I mean, everything… even the National Day music video this year!
When I attended a recent work event where we celebrated how a former beneficiary was assisted through the Ethiopia Famine in the 1980s, and is now a teacher influencing the next generation, my eyes welled up with tears quite a few times throughout. I guess my heart has now become even more sensitive to the sufferings of children in need, now that I have a child of my own.
Cristan with our friend from Ethiopia, worlds apart in geography as well as destiny.
After all, a child does not have a choice where he or she is born. Yet this single pivotal circumstance determines whether a child is able to live life in all its fullness. A child born in Ethiopia (or even closer to home, say Cambodia or Laos) suffers lack and deprivation from the get-go, while a child like Cristan enjoys all sorts of comforts above and beyond his basic needs.
At times while nursing or cuddling Cristan, I would think about the unimaginable anguish of a mother in an impoverished community, unable to satisfy the hunger of her languishing, malnourished children. Or the heartache of thousands of domestic helpers who have had to leave their homes and their own children behind, to come to Singapore to work, simply because there is no other choice. I would be thankful for what we have, while my heart breaks for those who are not as blessed.
It wasn’t my intention to make anyone dwell on depressive thoughts during this season of joy, yet it is precisely the time of year that we can choose to spread the real spirit of Christmas and warm the hearts of the less fortunate. Instead of buying yet more trinklets and knick knacks for friends and family, how about dedicating a life-changing gift that would make a real difference to those struggling to survive?
A collection of the most meaningful Christmas gift ideas ever!
By the way, if any of my friends or loved ones are thinking of buying me a gift, please choose one from this Life-Changing Gift Catalogue too! Don’t worry, items start from as little as S$8! And you may just be surprised at how much joy it would bring – to me, to you, and to a precious child in need.
2 Comments
Celine
December 28th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
I was pretty emotional after the birth of each child. It’s quite normal. But moms will be moms…I still well up when I see the sufferings around us.
You’re doiong well, Mummy Mandy!
Mandy
January 3rd, 2012 at 9:29 am
Hey Celine, yep still highly emotional! Watched Empire of the Sun yesterday and eyes welled up when the boy got separated from his mommy in the midst of the chaos. Would have cried buckets at the last part when he reunited with his parents…but at that exact moment, Cristan woke (at 3am!!!) so I had to switch off the TV to cuddle him. Hahaha…
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