Do They Know It's Christmas?

Do they know it's Christmas?

Oh, Band Aid. How your awesomeness warms my heart and makes me feel that all is right with the world – however temporarily.

Lately, I’ve had opportunities to talk really in-depth about everything Christmas, and a common theme I picked up from various discussions was that of gifts. Yes, gifts – whether you believe in the “Greatest Gift of All” or the bright wrapped boxes under the Christmas tree.

Remember the letters you wrote Santa asking for a toy, a dog, a shining white unicorn with magical powers? (okay, that last one might’ve been just me) Even now, though we stopped believing in Santa Clause years ago, the prospect of gift cards and clothes and iPhones still excite us. Maybe more than it should.

Don’t get me wrong – I love presents. Despite being a female, I’m not much of a shopping person, but I could go Christmas shopping FOREVER. When I was young, I used to stretch out my Christmas stocking whenever my parents weren’t looking so that more stuff could fit in there.

But this Christmas, while most of us will be surrounded by blessings and privileges, we might forget those who are not so fortunate. If we paused and asked ourselves, do they know it’s Christmas? Could we answer confidently?

No matter what culture we come from or what faith we belong to, I think Christmas is a time when we can celebrate universal values, of family, of love and generosity. So on Christmas, wouldn’t it be amazing if we could change our attention from what we want to GET, to what we have to GIVE?

I’ll conclude not with my own bumbling words, but through the immortal genius of Band Aid. (Someone’s probably really confused, so… they’re a band. They kind of rock.)

It's Christmas time / There's no need to be afraid
At Christmas time / We let in light and we banish shade
And in our world of plenty / We can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world / At Christmas time

But say a prayer / Pray for the other ones
At Christmas time it's hard / But when you're having fun
There's a world outside your window / And it's a world of dread and fear
Where the only water flowing / Is the bitter sting of tears
And the Christmas bells that ring / There are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you

And there won't be snow in Africa / This Christmas time
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life / Where nothing ever grows
No rain nor rivers flow / Do they know it's Christmas time at all?

(Here's to you) raise a glass for everyone
(Here's to them) underneath that burning sun
Do they know it's Christmas time at all?

Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time