Hands together
The family gathered around a table making the Gospel at
Home.
The theme of the night was Charity, and after reading
the Gospel´s text, each one made a comment. Little
Sonia, five years old, said:
- Daddy, I saw on TV that Christmas is coming and the
stores are full of toys!
- Yes, my daughter. But this is a misrepresentation of
the idea of Christmas, which should be dedicated to
Jesus, whose birth we celebrate on December 25th -
said Antonio.
Orlando, eight years old, remembered:
- Besides, there are a lot of people who cannot buy
presents. I saw another day in the newspaper that,
because of heavy rain in the region, many families have
lost everything and are homeless.
The mother, Dona Clara, said full of pity:
- You're right, my son. Next to the happy ones of the
world, there is also much suffering and pain that we
have to soften. Right here, in our city, there are very
poor neighborhoods where people have nothing to eat,
much less will be able to think about buying gifts at
Christmas.
The eldest, Ricardo, twelve years old, who was very
thoughtful, proposed:
- Today's lesson is about Charity, reminding us that we
need to share what we have, helping the neediest. How
about if we go for action, doing something?
Satisfied to see that the seed of the gospel was
germinating, the parents agreed:
- Very well remembered Ricardo. What do you suggest?
- I give away my old clothes and some toys! Exclaimed
Soninha.
- I'll separate some clothes and toys, too. Besides, I
have shoes and sneakers that no longer suit me - said
Orlando.
- Great! - Said Ricardo, who, being the oldest, looked
like the head of the small team - But that is not
enough. We need to ask for help from all known people:
neighbors, relatives, friends, classmates and teachers.
The others agreed cheerfully.
From the words came to actions, and in a few days, the
donations began to arrive: they were foodstuffs,
clothes, shoes, toys, medicines, books and even some
household items and furniture.
The parents took the children to the poorer
neighborhoods on the outskirts, and they came back
sensitized, concluding that they needed more help
because the number of people in need was huge.
Ricardo went to the local radio station, which
transmitted his request for help to the "United Hands
Campaign", as they started to call it, and the answer
came soon.
Many donations came from all the corners, from the
countryside and from the city, from the wealthiest
neighborhoods and even from the poor. Everyone wanted to
collaborate.
On Christmas day, ending the "United Hands Campaign",
they putted everything in a truck and took what they
obtained for the needy families.
A lot of people who had collaborated accompanied them
and everyone was very happy. Each one helped as best as
could, even dressing as a clown to distribute candies
and cheer the children.
It was a big party. At the end, Antonio prayed, thanking
God on behalf of all, for the blessings of that day, in
which he was accompanied by a crowd of people of all
religious faiths.
Everybody returned to their homes full of happiness and
well-being, especially Antonio's family. If it were not
for the commitment of the three children, they would not
have this year a truly different Christmas dedicated to
Jesus and to the less fortunate.
TIA CÉLIA
Translation:
