Contemplating Christmas - Part 3

This is part 3 in a series on how Michael & I have changed the way we celebrate Christmas through gift-giving.  If you haven't read parts 1 & 2, you might be somewhat confused.

     -Buy a goat.  This will get you some humorous reactions!  Last year, we bought 2 goats from World Vision.  Not for ourselves or our families, but for 2 families that we will most likely never meet - at least this side of heaven.  These goats - & the plethora of other farm animals that you can buy - help to lift families out of poverty.  Families are helped by the food supplied by the animals (milk from the goats & eggs & meat from the chickens, for instance), they are able to multiply the animals, they sell the animals for money & feed, the manure fertilizes their crops - which brings in even more income . . . it's simply amazing how much just one animal helps!  We watched a video featuring a widow - & mother of 6 - whose life was completely transformed by just one goat (which became 14)!  Of course, I cried to see how we could impact the lives not only of these families, but of their surrounding communities as well!  And telling family & friends that you bought a goat in their honor for Christmas is wonderfully fun!  Check out World Vision's gift-giving catalog; animals aren't the only option available.