My journey towards Christmas has taken me to the iconic Red Kettles Campaign of the Salvation Army which provides opportunity to share one’s time, funds, and talents. My wife Judy and I make it a practice to ring the bell at Christmas; we shared a 10-hour stint last Friday at Cabela’s in Buda. I feel warmth by the spirit when I share willingly with others. Ringing the bell is an investment not only for those in need but also for me — a “pay it forward” as responsible adults for the many blessings I have received.
Acts 20:35 (KJV) says: “I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Program is remarkable. While many of us recognize the kettles, how many know of the humble beginning behind them? In 1891, Captain Joseph McFee stationed with the Salvation Army in San Francisco was distraught over the many poor people going hungry. His hope and his prayer were to provide a free dinner at Christmas for the poverty-stricken and destitute… but he had no funding for such a project. As he lay awake, his thoughts drifted back to his sailor days in Liverpool, England. He recalled how at the stage landing where the boats came in, a large iron kettle nicknamed “Simpson’s Pot” stood on the dock where passengers leaving the ships could toss in a few coins to help the poor. With this inspiration, McFee started the next day to copy that idea. The success of his San Francisco kettle program spread to other Salvation Army sites and today is celebrated and recognized around the world.
