During the holidays, many of us spend time worrying about gifts ... trying to find that perfect gift for people we love.
I want to do something different this year in the Christmas message. I want to introduce you to someone who can give us all some good advice about gift giving.
His name is Jeremy Olson, he is nine. I read about what he did at his recent birthday party in Swift Current and I thought you might find this interesting.
Premier: "Hi, Jeremy ... say hi to Saskatchewan."
Jeremy: "Hello!
Premier: "So why don't you tell us, what did you decide to do for your birthday party this year?"
Jeremy: "Well, I decided to have lots of friends for my birthday party, and I didn't want them to bring presents and toys and stuff like that. I wanted them to bring food for the food bank."
Premier: "And why did you decide to do that?"
Jeremy: "I decided to do that 'cause it made me feel good inside, and it was the purpose of other people."
Premier: "Trying to help other people, and so your friends came, and did they mostly bring food?"
Jeremy: "Yes, they brought 110 pounds of food."
Premier: "Wow, that is fantastic, for the Salvation Army Food Bank in Swift Current?"
Jeremy: "Yes."
Premier: "Thanks Jeremy."
As we get closer to celebrating another birthday, because after all that's what Christmas is, maybe we each could be inspired by Jeremy's example, his act of kindness and so many more just like it that happen all across our province.
Maybe we could be inspired by that most perfect gift of all, laid in a manger 2000 years ago: the Prince of Peace.
Maybe we know someone close to us who is hurting, or a family in need or maybe we, who have so much, can simply reach out to those a world away who have so very little.
If we were each to do that, just think of the good that we could do. The lives that we could touch with our time and tith, with our kindness, with our generosity.
It's the perfect gift for Christmas, it's what Christmas is all about.
And it's ours to give. Jeremy figured it out. We can too.
On behalf of our MLAs and their families, on behalf of our kids Megan, Colter and Faith, Tami and I wish you all happy holidays. May you find yourself in the company of those whom you know well and love best and may your heart be full and content for those you've helped just when they needed you most.
Merry Christmas, happy New Year and happy holidays.
