Of all the gifts we could give our kids at this time of year is an understanding of the importance of simple generosity of spirit. It could be the one gift that is guaranteed to shape their future lives and the lives of those they touch on their journey to adulthood and beyond.
Much of that gift will be conveyed just through table conversation about the examples of human generosity that abound in the world.
There are stories such as the one about Albertan Tom Crist, who donated his $41-million lottery win to charity because, as he said, 鈥淚 have enough. I can look after myself, for my kids, so they can get looked after into the future. I don鈥檛 really need that money.鈥�
Perhaps some talk about the generosity of wealthy celebrities such as Michael J. Fox, whose Foundation for Parkinson鈥檚 Research has raised more than $100 million.
Some celebrities, kids will learn, simply revel in their own fame and the excesses celebrity brings, which contributes nothing to making the world a better place.
Others, and U2鈥檚 Bono is another good example, put their fame and fortune to better and more generous use.
Bono鈥檚 RED campaign and charity concerts have advanced the alleviation of poverty and debt in Third World countries. His calls for debt relief and AIDS awareness campaigns have benefited millions and boosted groups such as Greenpeace and Amnesty International.
But that鈥檚 all high-profile stuff that might or might not get the essential point about everyday generosity of spirit across to developing minds.
Closer to home and down here on the ground, there are people like Victoria鈥檚 streetwise Rev. Al Tysick, who gives his time, energy, counselling and sometimes his own belongings to the disadvantaged and homeless on the streets of Victoria.
A friend of mine had made an appointment with Al, who, when he arrived, had only socks on his feet. On his way to the meeting, he had come across a man who had no shoes 鈥� Al had given the man his own shoes.
A Christian family will find some New Testament resonance with that story, and a non-religious family will find plenty to talk about regarding simple generosity that enriches both the giver and the receiver.
In a perfect world, our political leadership would be providing kids with examples of the same kind of selfless big-heartedness. Sadly, for the most part, that is not the case and a conversation about the importance of leading not by words, but by example, could lead to useful discussion, certainly with older kids.
Kids, saturated as they are by media news, will have heard during this Christmas season that federal minister James Moore, a man with a healthy salary and pension stated that 鈥渋t鈥檚 not the federal government鈥檚 role to ensure hungry children are fed.鈥�
Plenty of room for family discussion there.
Kids will be aware that Justice Minister Peter MacKay advocates that poor criminals sell their belongings to pay the government鈥檚 mandatory victim surcharge.
As one judge commented: 鈥淵ou have to understand these people have nothing. That鈥檚 the tragedy. Should they sell their winter coats?鈥�
Not much generosity of spirit there, either. As John Bunyan wrote: 鈥淵ou have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.鈥�
What inspired this column was, in part, the example of musician Natalie MacMaster, herself the mother of five with another on the way, who spoke of her family traditions.
The Cape Bretoner, in a Times 91原创 interview, said she and her husband teach their five children that the Christmas spirit is about more than opening gifts.
MacMaster, who played to a sold-out concert in Victoria on the weekend, explained that while her family maintains the tradition of an Advent calendar with their kids, 鈥渨e try and do a good deed every day and we write that down on a little strip of paper. And then we make a paper chain from that and use it to decorate the tree.鈥�
Christmas provides many opportunities to talk with our kids about how simple human kindness, generosity and goodwill toward others could and will make the world a better place.
Let鈥檚 not pass up the chance.
听
Geoff Johnson is retired superintendent of schools.
