MISSISSAUGA, ONT. –(CANADIAN CHRISTIAN NEWS SERVICE)– As Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, it’s a wonderful time to reflect on God’s love for the world, and to show love to others. According to a recent Ipsos Reid poll, Canadians agree. They reported that family time and faith are central to the spirit of Christmas.
The majority of Canadians agree that the spirit of Christmas is best described as a time for bringing family together, followed by celebrating the birth of Christ. These results demonstrate that this year Christmas is not about gifts and consumerism. In fact, 86% of Canadians say Christmas is about helping those in need.
Quotes:
“Christmas is about love. It’s about friends, family and the traditions we keep. I love the warmth and joy surrounding this time of year as we celebrate Jesus’ birth. But love isn’t just a feeling – it’s also an action.” –Michael Messenger, President, World Vision Canada
Demonstrate the spirit of Christmas through the World Vision Gift Catalogue:
- Teach children about the needs of others: The Gift Catalogue is a family-friendly way to introduce young children to concepts of poverty and need. It also shows them the difference they can make in someone’s life.
- A family gift: Many families pool money to make a collective donation – like a goat or a sheep, instead of a traditional gift exchange. It is a great way for a family to really make a difference, and experience the heart of the season.
- A church fundraiser: Some churches have raised money to provide livestock or other necessities for a family. The ‘help stock a stable’ gift is a good tie in with a nativity play as it provides animals like cows, goats, chickens, pigs and ducks to a family in poverty to help turn their life around.
Other interesting stats:
- Nine out of 10 Canadian parents with children at home feel that picking out a charitable gift as a family can help bring them together by doing something fun that helps others.
- Three out of four Canadians are planning to give to charity this holiday season.
- 88% believe we need to spend more time focusing on those who need help at Christmas.
- 76% would prefer to receive a meaningful gift that helped someone, rather than a traditional gift like clothing or electronics.
Resources:
Visit the World Vision Gifts media site at www.worldvisiongiftsnews.ca for images, video, mat stories, and more information about World Vision Gifts; you can also join the conversation online with the Twitter hashtag #meaningfulgifts.
For matte stories and audio appropriate for Christian audiences see contact below.
-30-
For interviews (in regions across Canada) contact:
Genevieve Barber, 905-565-6200 ext. 2176, cell: 416-671-0086
genevieve_barber@worldvision.ca
World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization working to create lasting change in the lives of children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by our Christian values, World Vision is dedicated to working with the world’s most vulnerable people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. Visit our News Centre at worldvision.ca.