We need a new way.

Over the next week or so lot's of people are getting money from the government. It's all part of the plan to "get the economy going". It seems consumerism will solve the problems rampart consumerism created(!!??!!).
Perhaps it is time for western Society to have a major rethink. Is it time for us to take to heart the challenge to live more simply? I remember a call from the late 60's - "live more simply that others might simply live."
At Christmas, in my family we are trending to giving "aid packages" as gifts. You know the sort of things I mean, you can get them from World Vision, Oxfam, Tear and so on. You can give a goat, school supplies, a well - you name it. Instead of giving more stuff to people who don't need it, we give to people and communities that really need very basic items. Our experience is that the recipients really appreciate such gifts. The more and more ordinary folks share like this the better the world will be and we will generate good change from the bottom up.
Have a Holy and Blessed Christmas - and give a goat to a third world family - it will transform their life!