December 22, 2006

Mary’s Words Ring

I happen to edit an online devotion site called d365. During Advent and Christmas it’s called Following the Star. Pretty good stuff, if I do say so myself.

But because I’m so familiar with the content there I visit another site called Sacred Space. Today’s scripture text there is from the Magnificat, Mary’s response to being told by the angel that she was carrying the promised savior. “He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,” she says, “and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.”

Those are hopeful words, really, hope of what would one day come.

But that day is not yet. Recent figures show, in fact, that the world’s wealth is being concentrated more and more in the hands of fewer and fewer. One report shows that “in 2000 the richest 1 percent of adults - most of whom live in Europe or the United States - owned 40 percent of global assets…By contrast, the bottom 50 percent of the world's adult population owned barely 1 percent of the world's wealth.”

Those figures are unlikely to hold up on a the exact same scale in Alabama But it is equally unlikely that the global transfer of wealth into fewer hands is not reflected also in our state. As never before, those who have much need to adopt an attitude of responsible stewardship in regard to their possessions, one that considers the needs of those who have little.

That includes most of us who are either writing or reading these words.

Taking the Giving Leap

One thing we might do, then, is to take seriously the idea of giving gifts in a different way this season. Here’s a suggestion: Instead of getting overwrought about finding that “just right” something for someone who has everything, you could actually give a donation to a worthy organization in the name of your gift recipients.

I plan to do this for at least two on my list, my two sons who will already receive plenty to keep them entertained this year. For one I will give to an Alabama group while the other will be a global organization. I suspect the boys will be glad for this!

If you need some help in figuring out who to give to, visit our links page. There are several worthy groups there!

Or if you are thinking more global, try Charity Navigator. You’ll likely find a cause that suits you there.

Or you can join others who have recently joined the APP. I think we happen to be worthy of your support. We’ll soon have a way for you to give online, but for now please go to our Join the APP page for the membership form and information.

Some Holiday Reading

In case you’re looking for some “light” reading in these laid back days, friend and APP Board of Directors member Bob Corley sent me a link to a study about the trends concerning poverty in American cities and suburbs. It looks like there are more folks in the suburbs dealing with inadequate resources than we might think.

I’ve only begun to take a look, but follow this link for the report. If you don’t get to it soon, save it for after the holidays when your mind clears from too much tryptophan.

Tea Wisdom

I’m not a coffee drinker, but hot tea is a regular part of my day. It brings all kinds of benefits, some unexpected. After recently finishing off a box of Celestial Seasonings, I found this quotation on the bottom: “The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do.” That’s from Sarah Ban Breathnach.

Sarah is right on the mark. In the midst of your slowing down, sleep and dream well. But when the time comes to rise, let’s determine now that we will be dreamers who do.

Peace to you in the midst of the season…

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