| Local generosity lights the season
This past weekend saw a bonanza of giving, with Mrs. Claus for a Cause (Leah Cole) hosting a three-day extravaganza to give local kids gifts and fun, with the help of Disney princesses and other volunteers.
On Saturday, the Montrose County Sheriff's Office and other public safety agencies treated 12 kids to a shopping spree at Target. The annual Heroes for Kids (formerly Shop with a Cop) is funded by donations and, through the school district, selects kids whose families can't afford much Christmas cheer. The kids get breakfast from McDonald's, a ride with their officer or other agency staffer, and a gift card to do holiday shopping.
Also, multiple other organizations try to help others have a merry Christmas.
The Cobble Creek Angelswere at it again, working with Montrose County to spread the holiday cheer to those in need.
At Haven House Transitional Living Center in Olathe, the residents recently enjoyed a visit from Santa, who visited with the Flying Wheels gang and Montrose Christian Bikers, following a toy run. Today, they're enjoying the annual Shepherd's Shopping Spree at Haven House. Designated chores the families who live their perform earlier in the year earn them a ticket into the "shopping center" there, where they can select from many necessities, fun stuff, toys and more for Christmas gifts.
Of course, you don't need to plan a large-scale event to spread some seasonal cheer. Visit a friend. Sing some carols. Share a smile in those long lines at stores. Or (shameless plug), check out the worthy causes mentioned above to donate. You can also donate year-round to the nonprofits standing in the trenches to help those in need, such as (but not limited to) Sharing Ministries food bank, The Shepherd's Hand, or Montrose Lighthouse.
Or just lend a hand when you see the need! A good deed goes miles more than it might appear.
 (Princess Aurora with a young guest at Mrs. Claus for a Cause on Dec. 19. Photo courtesy of Dave Bryan)
So, what's the deal with Christmas?
Christmas as we know it is a Christian holy day. (Soapbox time: "holy day" is where we get the word "holiday," so if someone tells you "Happy Holidays," it might be best just to smile and return the greeting). Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus. ("Mas" refers to "mass," and if you were ever curious about it, the X in "X-mas" refers to the Greek letter Chi, the first letter of Jesus' name.)
The date on which Christmas is celebrated, however, is close to the date of several pagan midwinter celebrations, such as Saturnalia (ancient Rome) or Yule (Nordic culture). Scholars posit that the date was deliberate, to encourage converts; others disagree. Whatever the case, the history of Christmas is rich and fascinating. The History Channel has a pretty good wrap on it here. You'll even discover that the so-called "War on Christmas" isn't anything new; the Puritans were not big fans of it because of its pagan trappings, and Oliver Cromwell — well, yikes! What a Grinch.
My family has its own traditions, as do most. For us, one highlight is reading the Christmas story by candlelight on Christmas Eve - and we mean the one from Matthew and other Gospels, not "A Visit from St. Nicholas" ('Twas the Night Before Christmas). But that's a good poem, and fun, so grab some cocoa and have at it! And if you're looking for a Christmas Eve service, there are plenty to be had - check out the events calendar here.
Whatever and however you celebrate, may you be blessed!
- Katharhynn, from the Newsroom
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