O Holy Night

Written by: Kelsey Lawrence

“O Holy Night, the stars are brightly shining…, Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh…, It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…”

I know it is only the beginning of November and Thanksgiving hasn’t even happened yet, so I shouldn’t be talking about Christmas…but I am!  I have always had a firm no Christmas music until after Thanksgiving rule, but this year I am thinking about breaking it!  This year, working for AMA, has given me a new perspective and I am excitedly planning ahead for Christmas, even now.

I would like to suggest that you begin to contemplate Christmas too for the following reasons…

Firstly, I’m sure Christmas will look different this year for many families across the U.S. and around the world, because of the tough economic times we are all facing.  Perhaps the real meaning of Christmas will be more present.  Maybe there will be fewer gifts under the tree this year, but those that are purchased will no doubt have been meticulously thought about and will hopefully bring great joy to the recipient.

When I got engaged around a year ago, one of the most meaningful engagement gifts my fiance and I received was a family of chickens that was given to a family in Tanzania, Africa, on our behalf.  I was so thrilled to receive a gift that would help someone else and continue to give for years to come!

Maybe you have a friend who is impossible to buy for, a parent who has everything and doesn’t need or want anything new, or a friend that, like me, would just love to receive a gift that changes someone else’s life.  If so, please consider purchasing a gift on their behalf from AMA.  You can buy a goat for a widow or family in Rwanda for only $50.  In addition, you can purchase a sewing machine for a woman in our tailoring school to help her run her own business and change her life.  Sewing machines cost $200.

The second reason you should begin contemplating Christmas now is if you already have a child in our sponsorship program.  You can help your child and their family have an extra special Christmas this year through an extra donation for your child.  The best way to give a gift to your child, is through a monetary donation to AMA.  This money will go, in its entirety, to the child and their family to purchase items most beneficial to their current needs.  Monetary gifts also allow the child to do their own shopping, a luxury that most of them never get to have.  To do this you can mail a check to AMA or make an online donation, marked as “Special Gift.”

Also, be sure to get your Christmas letters to your children into our offices ASAP.  We have to send our Christmas correspondence in November so that it is received and translated in time for the children to receive it at Christmas!

So even though it is only early November, there are many exciting reasons to look forward to Christmas this year.  Help change a life in Rwanda this holiday season!