Columnist Ann Landers was once asked “What question are you asked the most?” to which she replied “What is the matter with me? Why am I so lonely?” When asked for her response, she said “I tell them to get involved, do something for other people. The people who need help are all about you. Everywhere you look, you see them.” Sage advice for us all, whether we are lonely or not. After all, isn’t that what Jesus would tell us to do?

Open your eyes and look around and you will find virtually unlimited opportunities to help. The problem isn’t a paucity of poverty but a hardness of heart. We only see what we wish to see, the rest we ignore, wishing it would disappear. It is the age-old question “If a tree falls in the forest and no one is near, does it make a sound?”

For over 120 years the Salvation Army has placed red kettles and bell ringers at the entrances to many stores and malls around the world. Money collected is used to help the needy, the sick, the aged and other less fortunate, especially around Christmas.

The Colorado Springs city council recently passed an ordinance prohibiting solicitation of any type in the downtown area. While the ordinance was designed to reduce panhandling and rid the area of bums and derelicts, it has had a direct and immediate impact on the Salvation Army’s annual red kettle drive by banning their presence in the downtown area. Bah! Humbug! Ebenezer Scrooge is alive and well, with a seat on the city council.

Thankfully, in order to circumvent the ordinance, a few private property owners have given the Salvation Army permission to place their kettles and bell ringers on non-public lands.

At almost the same time, in New York City, a barefoot homeless man was sitting on the cold concrete sidewalk with a tin can begging. Even though the temperature was near freezing no one saw fit to offer assistance. People were walking by, a few dropping coins in his can, others visibly ignoring his presence, still others laughing and poking fun at the shoeless beggar’s plight. The Grinch must be at it again in New York City.

A young NYPD policeman saw the man and after determining his shoe size, bought the best pair of boots available and thermal socks at a nearby store and helped the man put them on. He spent over $100 of his own money for a stranger.

As we approach Christmas look around, and do something for someone in need. See Christ in all those around you and let your heart sing “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”