At the time I couldn't comprehend how popular the song was, and the impact it had on the world at the time of its release. The song was "Do They Know It's Christmas?" The song was written to raise money for the famine in Ethiopia.
The Spirit of Christmas
After thinking back to that day recently, I started thinking about why people are so generous around Christmas time. Is it the abundance of feel good movies? Or how about the Christmas tunes (not the traditional carols)? One of my favourite Christmas movies is "Miracle on 34th Street". With the abundance of Christmas themed music and movies, it's easy for Christmas to be swept up into a world of "Hollywood." Big budget productions are shown all over TV. These productions typically take away from the true meaning of Christmas. However, the real meaning does come forward a little here and there.
Television Specials
Annual Christmas Carol services broadcast on TV give attendees, and viewers at home the opportunity to give to charity. In Australia, the two nationally broadcast carols services give to charity. Vision Australia partner with the carols in the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. The Carols in the Domain event partners with the Salvation Army and Oasis Youth Support Network. The Salvation Army also holds a campaign around Christmas time. I remember growing up and hearing the Salvation Army playing Christmas carols a few streets away. The feeling of goodwill is never too far away.
Charity Appeals
If you visit any shopping centre during December, there is no doubt you may see stalls in the middle of the centre run by charities. One thing I can appreciate from these charities at this time of year is the selection of Christmas gifts they have available. For example, you can buy a loved one a present of a cow. This works as you pay money for a village to buy a cow. These presents are a good option to give someone who is hard to buy for. It helps others out, and makes you feel good on the inside.
A Gift Is Given
Perhaps the notion for people being generous comes from the truth of Christmas. Since we were given a gift at Christmas, maybe people feel the need to give to others. Even people who would class themselves as "non-religious" feel the need to give. Isaiah 9:6 says "for to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Since we were given such a wonderful gift, shouldn't we give something to other people? How are you going to give to someone less fortunate this Christmas season?
Natalie Van Egmond from Brisbane is a journalism graduate.
Natalie Van Egmond's archive of articles may be viewed at
www.pressserviceinternational.org/natalie-van-egmond.html