Commun ty Matters Rolla Presbyterian Manor
December 2018
He came down and gave us... By Allen Teal, chaplain Rolla Presbyterian Manor
“Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” —2 Corinthians 9:15, KJV “When we give each other Christmas gifts in His name, let us remember that He has given us the sun and the moon and the stars, and the earth with its forests and mountains and oceans—and all that lives and moves upon them. He has given us all green things and everything that blossoms and bears fruit and all that we quarrel about and all that we have misused—and to save us from our foolishness, from all our sins, He came down to earth and gave us Himself.” —Sigrid Undset Why should we give? Nearly everyone has agonized over buying Christmas gifts. The list of recipients seems to grow every year. Receiving a gift in return is good, but should not be the motivation to give. We are challenged by the Lord to give to those who are unable to reciprocate. Giving should be done out of love and a desire to bless others.
Maryls Sinnott poses with one of Secret Santa’s many helpers, Ted Glenn.
Secret Santa is coming to town Rolla Presbyterian Manor’s Secret Santa tradition continues to spread joy to health care residents every December. “We noticed how sad some of our (health care) residents were, who did not have any family to celebrate Christmas,” said Ann Caudill, executive director. That’s how the idea of the Secret Santa program started. “This way they received a few presents from ‘Santa.’” People volunteer to either purchase gifts valued around $40 or donate $40 for Presbyterian Manor employees to purchase the gifts. Each year, letters requesting donations are sent to the Chamber, and other individuals and local businesses that have donated in the past. Before the community’s “elves” do their shopping, they check with each resident to see what’s on their wish list.
How should we give?
“We visit with the resident and find out what they really want,” said Joelle Freeland, marketing director. “Sometimes it’s lipstick or perfume that they don’t normally get. We make it personal, not just a stock item like pajamas.”
Attitude plays a big role in giving gifts. We cannot control the
Once purchased, the gifts are put in a Christmas bag for Santa to hand out on Christmas morning.
GIVE, continued on page 4
SANTA, continued on page 2