Click here to read this column in Korean.
Every December, I am very busy for a special reason. The first day of month we sing Happy Birthday to my wife Karen. While the familiar song still lingers in my ears, our wedding anniversary comes up three days later. So it becomes “a very Happy Anniversary.” Then after three weeks, Merry Christmas arrives. I guess I didn't know better about the implication of these special days before I got married. I feel sorry for my children as I see them preparing cards and gifts one after another, and their wallets getting thinner. (Fortunately, none of them were born in December.)
I admire those who complete their Christmas shopping far in advance so they don't have to worry about gifts in December. Yet it is not the act of purchase alone that keeps you on your toes. Choosing an item is an even bigger headache. It is not an easy task to impress a person who seems to have everything already. So some merchants come out with new and eye catching items. How about a 14-k gold nail clipper? A hairbrush decorated with dazzling gemstones and real pearls for anyone? Wait, there is a good item for gentlemen, too. What about a case for an automatic hand watch? This box is equipped with automatic rotating mechanism so that your watch won't go to sleep even though you don't wear it for a long period of time. Of course, the case costs more than many of your watches combined.
Christmas is a time to give. So we prepare gifts for those we know but what goes around usually comes around. All the gifts stay within the circle – circle of friends and family members. For us, Christmas is rather a time to take and that's why everyone is busy even in the midst of a troubled economy.
For many people in this world, Christmas is another day of survival. They have nothing to celebrate but much to suffer; especially when they have a disease like Tuberculosis. TB, an ancient killer, once ravaged cultures stretching from Greece to Egypt. And it has returned in such an alarming rate that UN medical staff are greatly concerned. In 2005 the disease was diagnosed in 9.2 million more people, almost exclusively in developing countries in Asia and Africa. In the same year 1.7 million people died from the disease. TB is a preventable and curable disease yet poor infrastructure and lack of proper anti-TB medicine makes the situation worse. Each patient needs six months to stay on medicine to eradicate TB but not too many people can afford the expense.
In Swaziland, according to a UN survey, 1.3 per cent of the population is estimated to be infected by TB, the highest among those countries. According to Dr. Yoon Goo Lee who served as the CEO of Red Cross, and also the CEO of World Vision Korea, North Korea (which was not included in the survey due to its security) is estimated to have about a million cases, an alarming five per cent of the population; and 30 per cent of those patients are young children. It is becoming a global epidemic.
In the middle of grave statistics, there is good news, too. You can help. The supply of anti-TB drugs and nutrient-like vitamins for six months may be provided for $30 per patient. Presbyterian World Service and Development will be more than happy to assist you in delivering this life saving gift to those who are desperately in need. This gift you give won't come around but it will save a life. And it is what a gift is supposed to be. Jesus Christ gave himself to us so that we may be saved.
Stop making yourselves busy looking for a gift. Let us join together this Christmas to send real gifts to real people.
A Merry Christmas!
