Season's Greetings

Beyond Celebration ::: Rediscovering the Heart of the Holidays,  by Ashanti Raysor

As the holiday season arrives, many of us look forward to familiar comforts  like warm meals, time with loved ones, and a break from the demands of daily life. This time of year also quietly reminds us that not everyone experiences the season in the same way. For some, food insecurity or housing instability can make it difficult to feel the gratitude and thankfulness we often associate with the holidays. The contrast between celebration and struggle becomes more visible when the world seems focused on consumption and worldly pleasures rather than the needs of our neighbors.

For those of us committed to faith, service, and community, the season is an invitation to pause and extend support where it is needed most. Scripture teaches us to walk by faith, but it also calls us to walk in generosity. In a society that often moves too quickly, community can easily become fragmented. People become absorbed in their own responsibilities and challenges, and the collective calling to care for one another grows quieter. Yet our faith reminds us that love—genuine, heart-centered love—is the foundation of meaningful service.

The holidays offer a moment for gentle reflection on how we put that love into action. Small acts of kindness—sharing a warm meal, supporting a food drive, donating time, or simply checking in on someone who is struggling—carry deep significance. While these efforts may not solve every structural issue, they create a sense of connection and dignity, letting people know they are seen, valued, and not alone in their hardship.

In this way, the holiday season becomes less about perfection and more about presence. It’s a chance to slow down, acknowledge the realities many people carry, and approach the season with a quieter, more thoughtful kind of compassion. When we consider the well-being of our whole community, the holidays take on a deeper meaning—one rooted not just in celebration, but in understanding and shared humanity.

So, I’d like to challenge you all to further extend your humanity and offer meaningful opportunities for community outreach. This could be volunteering with local shelters, organizing meal distributions, supporting families in need through giving campaigns, or simply offering prayer and encouragement. Anything that allows you to step out of yourself to meet people where they are.

By extending ourselves with humility and purpose, we help ensure that the light of the holidays reach every corner of our neighborhoods, reminding all that hope is still present and that none of us are forgotten.