Keep Christmas in your heart…

December 23, 2024

The Best of Jack’s Winning Words 12/23/24 – Originally sent December 24, 2013.
“I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all year.” (Charles Dickens) What does it mean, to keep Christmas? The classic story “A Christmas Carol” seems to indicate that “Christmas” is having sympathy for the destitute. Early critics saw the story, first published in 1843, as an indictment of the rich taking advantage of the poor. One way to honor Christmas is by being an advocate for the poor. Pope Francis appears to like the idea. 😉 Jack


It is easy in our secular and very commercialized world to lose track of the real meaning of Christmas. We celebrate Christmas and Easter close together and early in the year. The two are inextricably linked as a show of God’s love for mankind. We need to put them in our hearts and use them as a guide and inspiration for our lives.


There will always be those who are disadvantaged, disabled or poor at Christmas time and all year long. To the extent that we not only advocate for them, but by actually doing something to help, we will be demonstrating the spirit of Christmas in our hearts all year.


Donating to a red kettle or to a worthy cause at Christmas time is good, but giving your time to volunteer in your community and help is even better. Local groups like Meals on Wheels or Community Sharing are always looking for volunteers. Most require no particular skills and will train you for the job that is needed. Honor Christmas and keep the spirit of it alive all year by finding a cause that you can volunteer to support.

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Posted by Norm Werner

Be kind…be healthy…

December 16, 2024

The Best of Jack’s Winning Words 12/16/24 – Originally sent January 5, 2016.
“When the Grinch discovered the true spirit of Christmas, his small heart grew 3 sizes that day.” (Dr Seuss) Did you know that an act of kindness can have a positive health benefit? A study has shown that being kind can add to physical well-being…so, smile, give compliments, volunteer, let someone go ahead of you in line, write an unexpected thank you. If kindness helped Grinch, it can help you and me. Give it a try. 😉 Jack

We get lots of reminders at this time of the year to be more thoughtful, kind and generous, although few such reminders also tout the health benefits that accrue to us. The old saw “it is better to give than to receive” is on full display and opportunities to give are on every street corner. It does not require giving money in order to display thoughtfulness, kindness or even generosity. The most valuable things that we have to give is our time. There are also lots of opportunities all year long to volunteer your time in support of worthy causes. If you don’t know where to start, just Google “volunteer opportunities near me” and see all of the things that are returned.

So do yourself a favor this Christmas and give yourself the gift of better health. Put a smile on your face and in your heart and be kind, be thoughtful and be generous with your most precious possession – your time. Your heart probably won’t grow like the Grinch, but, it will feel much bigger when it is full of the joy of giving.

And let that joy of giving show in your life. Be a cheerful giver. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7.

Be kind, be cheerful and be healthy today.

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Posted by Norm Werner