The Angel Tree

As long as I can remember there has been an angel tree that has been put up in churches and at other locations. When I was a kid I remember seeing on for the first time. I thought to myself, that is a neat way to decorate for Christmas, I thought it was just for looks. I never did understand what it was for until one morning in church. I was about 8 or 9 years old and the pastor announced that there were still a few angels left on the tree, and if there was anyone that wanted to take one they could. So I went back to the tree and took an angel off of it, looked at my mom and said, I got us an angel for our tree. That is when my mom explained to me the purpose of the angel tree. The Angel Tree program provides new clothing or toys for children of needy families. A person takes the angel off the tree and goes and buys the child a gift. I looked at my mom and I asked her if we could help this child. She told me that she would love to but after buying for 5 kids it was hard to do. I look at my mom and I said well, why don't I just give them some of my presents, I don't need anything. I guess my mom figured one more round of gifts wont hurt, we will take the angel. We go out and buy the kid an outfit and a toy and return the gifts to the church.
That is when I realized that Christmas was about giving and not receiving. It made me feel better to know that I helped a child that would have gotten nothing for Christmas. To me being with the ones you love and enjoying our happiness together is what Christmas is about.