The Gift of Hope

We're heading towards the end of the year now, and the Christmas season will soon be upon us. Are you one of those people who start the Christmas preparations in September, or do you prefer to leave it until the very last minute?

However you organise your Christmas shopping, spare a thought for those who are unable to do this annual task without the help of others. There may be some of them living near you. So this year make it part of your Christmas preparation to offer help to
others. Then there are those who can manage their Christmas shopping OK, but who have never heard about the gift of
Hope which is the best thing about Christmas. Let's continue to spread the word!

Around 70 teenagers recently decided to help people living in Eastbourne by offering to remove their rubbish-a simple task
which demonstrated care and concern, and helped to spread Hope in the community. What are you going to do for your neighbours in the run-up to Christmas? Here's some ideas on ways you can share the gift of Hope with the people you meet
each day:

Start talking to your neighbours! Take round a cake and
introduce yourself.
Offer to help-particularly if you have neighbours who are
handicapped or in need of special support.
Invite your neighbours to an Alpha course and give them
the opportunity to hear about the gift of Hope

And give thanks for those who shared the gift of Hope with you.