Now More than Ever

Tea: Mandarin Green with ginger and honey.

Music: Elvis Costello and the Attractions, "Almost Blue"

Time: Night.

I know ... we're in a recession, and every nickel counts.

But now is not the time to stop giving, even if the form the gift takes has to change.

I don't mean Christmas presents. I mean the things that keep people fed, warm, clothed.

No spare change to drop in a kettle? I'm not going to call you a liar. I've been there.

But you -- we, I, whoever -- can volunteer to serve meals. We can donate clothes. We can help each other look for work. Sometimes, we can just listen to someone who's facing a first holiday season without a job or a loved one -- or both.

It's a different and more intimate investment, giving yourself along with -- or instead of -- your money. But in the book I hold sacred, we're asked to give what we have ... even if all we have to give is ourselves.

Brought to You by the Number L

Tea: Vanilla Lapsang

Music: Big Rig Jackknife, "All Night Truckstop"

Time: Night

Upfront disclaimer: No scary story tonight. I'll do two tomorrow, I promise. But tonight's all about life, not chain-rattling returnees from a Victorian afterlife.

Good things came in 50s tonight.

As I type this, the Chicago Fire are leading the New York Red Bulls 4-1 in the second half. That means the Kansas City Wizards -- barring an utter collapse by Chicago -- will make the Major League Soccer playoffs. For me, that's a much-needed extra 50 dollars for covering the home leg of the first round.

(Update: The final score was 5-2, Chicago. Seven goals but no punch-up, so Nick Hornby wouldn't have called it perfect.)

And earlier tonight, I was the recipient of a random act of caffeine -- a 50-dollar gift certificate to a coffeehouse I really like. I was there, getting some work done on an art show review, when the barista came up to me with a happily baffled (henceforth to be known as "happled," which is a much better state than "hapless") smile.

"Someone just called in with a credit card number and asked me to give you this," she said, as though she still couldn't quite believe it.

The giver has been thanked. Ordinarily, I would do so publicly, by name, but I have the feeling I would get a bit grumbled-at if I did that in this instance. The giver didn't do it for a mention in a blog.

We had a bit of a discussion about what Christ would think about many of the things that go on in His name today. (Upshot: He would not be pleased.) That made me think about the admonition in Matthew: "When you give, do not let the right hand know what the left hand is doing." In other words, don't give in order to get the approval of others. Don't even do it to feel better about yourself.

Do it because it's the right thing to do.

And if you're in the mood to do so right now, whether by 50s or any other amount, might I suggest Heifer International? Every gift there helps people sustain themselves ... and isn't that one of the things we're here for, to help others to live?

Santa's Not So Little Helper

Tea: Black Fruit

Music: Veggie Tales, "Angels We Have Heard on High"

Time: Night.

My family has long been into making Christmas gifts.

Four-fifths of my family, that is. Until this year, I've been the lone exception. The last time I made a Christmas present for anyone, I wasn't even old enough for a learner's permit. But for the first time in decades, there's going to be a bit of me under a few Christmas trees.

And you know what? I'm loving it.

Part of it is that I know I'm giving something nobody else can. But mostly, I've discovered that doing things this way -- and participating in the selection process for the family's other homemade presents -- has helped me be more aware that giving any gift should be about more than "I have an obligation and a credit card. Time to hit the mall."

I'm not advocating the overthrow of the retail system. But as harried as Christmas seasons always are -- with programs, traffic and the like -- this one feels merrier than it has in a long time.

Now, the challenge is to carry that over to the rest of the year -- to look for ways to give of myself, not just give stuff. Here's hoping ...

More Time to Give

Tea: Pu-Er Dante

Music: Band Aid, "Do They Know It's Christmas?"

Time: Night

Thanksgiving came on the earliest possible date this year, which means the Christmas shopping frenzy -- sorry, season -- is already in full swing.

Nothing wrong with gift giving, or receiving. This isn't a rant on materialism. But while you're out searching for that perfect somethingorother for that certain someone, please don't tune out the sound of bells -- and please put whatever you can into those famous red kettles.

The Salvation Army does a lot of good. in the United States and around the world. When I went to Greensburg, after the tornado there this past spring, Salvation Army volunteers were there, handing out sandwiches and bottled water. When floods submerged a big chunk of Osawatomie this summer, the Salvation Army fed and clothed people who had lost everything to the water. Bringing it closer to home, when an ice storm knocked out power at my house several years ago, my family and I had a warm place to sleep -- on cots set up in racquetball courts at the local community center -- thanks to the Salvation Army.

And that help goes where it's needed -- no matter what the recipients believe or don't believe.

Aid costs money, though. Lots of it. That's where you can help.

It's a long shopping season. That means plenty of chances to stop, check your pockets for change and drop something in. It all adds up.

Or if you'd rather point and click to give, here's your chance.

Not because someday, you could be the one needing help. Because it's the right thing to do.