This being the Saturday before Christmas, I found it only appropriate to write about giving.

After all, Christmas is the time for giving.

I think giving is age relevant. The older you get, the more the "better to give than to receive" sentiment hits you.

So I was trying to come up with a good example of how giving can make you feel good when along comes a letter from Lt. Jeffrey Horn, the local Salvation Army guy.

In it, he talks about giving and how Christmas is for children.

I decided I couldn't have said it better myself, so here is a story about giving, compliments of the Salvation Army.

"On Christmas Eve last year, a group of Salvation Army volunteers gathered to wrap and distribute presents for needy families in their community. These families - parents and children included - were to pick up the gifts later that afternoon.

"Among the volunteers was a 6-year-old boy. His parents hoped the experience would help him learn that Christmas is more than Santa Claus, candy and presents. But at the same time, they thought he'd feel left out if he saw other children receiving gifts.

"So they brought him a gift from home, which he tucked safely under the table.

"Promptly at 5 p.m. the guests arrived - more than anyone had expected since the weather had been miserable all day.

"The little boy stayed behind the table, close to his mother's side, watching quietly as she handed presents to children with tattered coats and clothes that didn't seem to fit. As the last needy family stepped up, however, a growing fear became a reality. There were no more presents for the children. Yet one child remained.

"Those behind the table were stunned to realize they were one gift short. Then, just as a volunteer began to explain the situation to the family, the little boy reached under the table.

"He pulled out the gift his parents had bought for him and he handed it to the needy child who was last in line. You can imagine the hush that filled the room as he softly said, 'Here, take mine.'

"A pure and simple gift - from one child of God to another."

Seems to me the little boy figured out the true meaning of Christmas, eh?

So let's try to keep in mind during this holiday season that Christmas is about giving. And really, it's not a bad philosophy to follow all year long, is it?

Thanks to the Salvation Army for writing my column for me this week. It was very giving of them. And by the way, the Army still is accepting donations for its mission locally. So if you can afford it, feel free to get in the giving mood.

And thanks to the Times-Union newsroom staff for another year of dedication to the news trade. They're the ones who strive against irregular hours and daily deadlines to make your newspaper a reflection of the community it serves.

And finally, thanks to Times-Union readers and advertisers for a great year. To them I extend warm and sincere wishes for a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year. [[In-content Ad]]