When we opened it, there was a note inside that read, “This gift was given to a child in need in your name.”
Growing up in my family, Christmas was wonderful – lots of family around, lots of celebration, and we were always blessed with many gifts. But the thing that made a lasting impression on me was something my parents did when we were kids. Hidden somewhere in our group of gifts was a beautifully wrapped empty box. When we opened it, there was a note inside that read, “This gift was given to a child in need in your name.”
I never forgot that experience. At first it was surprising – as a child, I thought everybody lived like I lived. It was a wake up call for me. But I loved knowing that somewhere, another child was also having a happy Christmas because they had something to open as well. And I loved knowing somehow I was part of that.
The Christmas season is in full swing these days. As Christians, we are called to prepare for Christmas during this season called Advent. It’s a time of anticipation and waiting for the birth of the Christ child. We are called to prepare our hearts through prayer and worship to make room for the Christ child in our lives.
But let’s face it – most of us are caught up in the frenzy of preparation and shopping. Somewhere in the back of our minds, we know what the season is about, but there is just too much to do to pay any real attention to it. We end up frazzled, tired, broke and maybe even feeling a little empty inside from it all.
As the wife of the Episcopal Bishop of Western Massachusetts, I recently offered the wonderful people of our diocese an alternative to the emphasis on giving material gifts. Because honestly, do we really need one more sweater? Does Aunt Mary really need another pair of pajamas? Why not give a gift that improves the life of someone in need?
This past July, Doug and I traveled to the country of Ghana in West Africa, where our diocese has a companion relationship with the Anglican Church there. The people of Ghana captured my heart. It is a country of tremendous need, and yet great hope. There is an African philosophy called “Ubuntu," which translated means “I am because we are.” We are all one. And how can one be happy when so many suffer? I learned that my joy is tied to their joy. This Christmas, I invite you to tie your joy to their joy as well.
There is a great emphasis on education in Ghana, especially women’s education. But because of extreme poverty or lack of ability, many women will never get the chance to attend university. The Diocese of Kumasi has helped create The Women’s Vocational Center.
This center teaches women from the poorest villages a trade so they can support themselves – catering, or hairdressing or seamstressing. This training is the difference between a life of poverty and a life of possibility. And here’s the best part – when you raise women out of poverty, you save their children as well.
The Women’s Vocational Center is hoping to build a teaching kitchen so they can accept more students. To build the entire building will cost $30,000. That’s less than some people in our country spend on renovating their kitchens at home. (Don’t believe me? Just watch HGTV sometime!)
So I offer you the invitation to tie your joy to the joy of these women and their children this Christmas. We have raised $10,000 so far for the teaching kitchen. To meet our goal, we need 400 people to give $50. That’s all – just $50. Why not tell your family that this Christmas, you want to tie your joy to the joy of the women of Ghana? Why not ask them to make a donation in your name this Christmas instead of one more sweater? Or why not wrap an empty box and put it in with your child’s gifts and tell them that you have given a gift to the children of Ghana in their name?
Ubuntu – I am because we are. Why not give the gift of Ubuntu this Christmas?
Donations can be mailed to :
The Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts
37 Chestnut Street
Springfield, MA 01103
Please make checks out to: “Diocese of Western Massachusetts” with the notation “Women’s Vocational Center”.
Thank you for your support and generosity.
The Rev. Betsy Fisher is the Vicar of St Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia Union, NY. She is married to the Rt. Rev. Douglas J. Fisher, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts.