December 21, 2011
A Season of Giving…:
Christmas joy comes in many forms. Two of my favorites are Christmas stories and Nativities. I have a wonderful collection of both which include world-wide evidences of the love and service that is inspired by the tiny baby born two millennial ago. One of my favorite stories is “Cracked Wheat for Christmas” by Ted C. Hindmarsh. This story tells of Dr. Alexander Pennington III who has little use for Christmas other than showing his affluent family his personal financial success.
One particular Christmas Dr Pennington runs into trouble. His brand-new car full of expensive, impressive Christmas gifts, malfunctions, leaving him stranded Christmas Eve in fast-falling snow. The Stewarts, a family with three small children in a home where nothing is store bought, come to his rescue. Dr. Pennington ends up spending a Christmas unlike any he has know before resulting in a life changing perspective on the purpose and power of giving.
Giving and receiving can soften our hearts, fill us with gratitude and make us more aware of the blessings in our lives. Giving is the very essence of Christmas, as Christians the world over celebrate the night long ago when God gave his Son to the world. The greatest gifts in the world today are all about family, and for family.
With the understanding we share of the importance of families and in the spirit of giving, United Families International invites you participate in a Family Giving Plan. In order to continue to defend your family in the cultural war we are fighting, we need your help. Like the Penningtons and the Stewarts in our Christmas story, we all have different gifts to share, but share we must if we are to protect and preserve the future for families.
With the understanding we share of the importance of families and in the spirit of giving, United Families International invites you to create a Family Giving Plan. Like the Penningtons and the Stewarts in our Christmas story, we all have different gifts to share, but share we must if we are to protect and preserve the future for families.
Here is how your Family Giving Plan could work.
Decide as a family how much you can contribute. Then communicate with members of your extended family and suggest they do the same. Set a goal as an extended family to contribute an amount that will show your commitment to keeping your family’s future safe. For example, one thousand dollars per year, per extended family, will go a long way toward helping UFI stay engaged in this on-going battle. As each family contributes their committed amount the funds will grow and YOU will be giving far more than a financial contribution; you will be supporting an organization that for over 30 years has been given their all to the cause of marriage and families and to make sure that children are put first in public policy and community life.
UFI is moving forward. We will win this cultural war but you must be part of the victory. With your financial assistance we can continue to affect language at the UN, build strong country organizations, send out timely and important news and alerts, and educate, support and equip individuals around the world with the tools to be effective in this most challenging effort. Our strength is the combined strength of a host of unselfish individuals and families who generously assist us, each gift being an essential part of our effort.
This holiday season, as you give to friends and family please remember United Families International. Feel the joy of sacrifice as you and your extended family invest in a safe future for families Go here to donate today.
Cordially,
Carol Soelberg