PHRASE BE is an ongoing series highlighting the dozens of everyday sayings that originate with biblical text. In this issue, we unpack:
IT’S BETTER TO
PHRASE: It’s better to give than to receive.
DEFINITION: It is more fulfilling and morally satisfying to give something than to receive something.
EXAMPLE: All their lives, the parents told their kids that it was better to give than to receive.
SOURCE: “And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
—Acts 20:35 (New Living Translation)
Though this is not a direct quote of Jesus, the early church preserved oral traditions of Jesus’ sayings, and this one perfectly epitomizes His message of sacrificial love and selfless giving.
While Christmas is all about the giving of gifts, this is not the type of giving that Jesus had in mind. A true gift comes from the heart, not a debit card.
This Christmas, donate time to a soup kitchen, shovel an elderly neighbour’s walkway or contact a family member you’ve not heard from in a while. This giving shows your heart and generosity in a way no gift card can, and shows others that, yes, it is better to give than to receive.
Story
movie reminds us why this season is so special.
A Christmas pageant gone wrong actually went right and spelled out the reason for the season.
The Salvation Army, thousands of children get the happy Christmas they deserve.
Salvation at Christmas A new Canadian family was looking for a place to worship at a Salvation Army church in Saskatoon. But they found so much more.
“Ring Those Bells!”
The woman approached me with a determined gait, as if she was on a mission. For a moment, my smile faltered. What is she up to? Her good-natured grin allayed my fears, however, and she deposited a wad of paper money in the Salvation Army Christmas kettle I was manning. I gave her a “God bless you” and expected no more, but she stood her ground, as if she was waiting for something. But what?
“C’mon!” she said, almost as in reply to my unspoken question. “Ring those bells!” I smiled and did so. Then she hugged me, put more money in the kettle, smiled back at me and walked away.
You might think this was an unusual occurrence, but every shift on the kettles during the Christmas season seems to bring out the best in the people who give to The Salvation Army. Whether it’s a thank you for all the good work the Army does, a story about how The Salvation Army has helped a member of their family to battle addiction or simply an acknowledgment that Salvationists are there when others aren’t, everyone has a reason to give.
In this special Christmas issue of Faith & Friends, you’ll read how a Salvation Army church in Saskatoon makes the holidays merry for hundreds of children, you’ll see how a couple were helped at Christmas and you’ll find out why an 11-year-old donates to the Army.
So give, and give generously, when you see a Salvation Army kettle. A lot of people are counting on you.
From all of us here at Faith & Friends, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Ken Ramstead
Mission Statement
To show Christ at work in the lives of real people, and to provide spiritual resources for those who are new to the Christian faith.
Faith & Friends is published bimonthly by:
The Salvation Army 2 Overlea Blvd, Toronto Ontario, M4H 1P4
International Headquarters 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4P 4EP, England
Lyndon Buckingham, GENERAL
Commissioner Lee Graves
TERRITORIAL COMMANDER
Lt-Colonel John P. Murray
SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS
Geoff Moulton, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND LITERARY SECRETARY
Pamela Richardson
ASSISTANT EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Ken Ramstead, EDITOR
Kristin Ostensen
MANAGING EDITOR OF SALVATIONIST AND SALVATIONIST.CA
Lisa Suroso
GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST
Emily Pedlar
JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Rivonny Luchas
DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST
Giselle Randall
SENIOR EDITOR OF SALVATIONIST
Abbigail Oliver
EDITOR OF JUST FOR KIDS AND STAFF WRITER
Logan Graves CIRCULATION CO-ORDINATOR
Scripture Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are taken from New International Version
Subscription for one year: Canada $17 (includes GST/HST); U.S. $22; foreign $24 P. (416) 422-6153
circulation@ salvationarmy.ca
All articles are copyright The Salvation Army Canada & Bermuda and cannot be reproduced without permission. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064794
ISSN 1702-0131
TThe Christmas Ring
New movie reminds us why this season is so special.
by Diane Stark
he Christmas Ring is a film adaptation of the Karen Kingsbury novel of the same name.
Vanessa Mayfield (Jana Kramer) is a young military widow searching for a long-lost family heirloom—a ring that her great-grandfather found in France on D-Day in 1944. In her search, she meets Ben Miller (Benjamin Hollingsworth), an antique dealer who agrees to help her find the ring. They become friends, which blossoms into unexpected new love. But just days before Christmas, Ben discovers that his own father, Howard (Kelsey Grammer), has the ring and plans to sell it. Can Ben stop the sale and make Vanessa’s Christmas wish come true?
The Best Part
We all have Christmas wishes. While Vanessa wishes for a long-lost ring, what do the rest of us wish for?
Delicious food? Beautiful decorations? Gifts under the tree? Maybe even a (wedding or engagement) ring?
All these things are wonderful, but none of them are the best part of the holiday. The heart of Christmas—the very reason we celebrate—is a baby in a manger. God’s only Son, Jesus, was born 2,000 years ago.
While His birth was a humble one, His mission was extraordinary.
Jesus came to save humanity. God sent His Son to earth where Jesus lived a perfect life for 33 years, and then died a painful death on a cross. As a sinless man, He didn’t deserve it. But we did, and Jesus died in our place, to pay the price for our sin. His sacrifice allows us to spend eternity in heaven when we die.
God offers us the gift of eternal life; all we have to do is accept it. It’s the best Christmas gift that’s ever been given.
Upside-Down Truth
A Christmas pageant gone wrong actually went right and spelled out the reason for the season.
by Phil Callaway
At the Callaway house, Christmas Eve isn’t quite complete without the reading of a Christmas story or two. One of our favourites through the years has recently been made into a hit movie.
The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever is proof that our best stories are redemptive tales where things go insanely wrong before somehow they are righted. The story concerns the notoriously rowdy Herdman children
and their unlikely encounter with their little country church.
When they find out there are free snacks at Sunday school, they show up. And never leave. Worse, they volunteer to star in the Christmas pageant—and that’s when the fireworks begin.
Hands Off Baby Jesus! I’m sure we’ve all been part of a pageant gone wrong.
Just ask those who witnessed the nativity pageant at First Baptist Church of White Pine, Tennessee. When a “sheep” tried to steal the baby Jesus, a full-on preschool brawl broke out.
The sheep’s mother said that Teegan, who was two, had been singing and talking about Jesus for weeks and “just really wanted that baby Jesus.” While the kids sang Away in a Manger, Teegan, dressed as a sheep, took off mid-song with the dolly Jesus. But her three-year-old co-star, playing the role of the doting Mother Mary, grabbed the doll and returned the baby Jesus to His manger.
Teegan wasn’t through, however. As chuckling adults watched, she grabbed the doll again, and that’s when Mother Mary went into Mama Bear mode. She tackled Teegan, then cuddled the baby while the rest of the children continued to sing Away in a Manger without missing a beat. The little girl playing Mary later said, “She knew that was not supposed to happen. She touched the baby Jesus! We weren’t supposed to touch the baby Jesus!”
At the church fundraiser dinner afterward, many in the audience had laughed so hard, they had trouble eating. But all agreed, it was a Christmas pageant they would not soon forget.
The Heart of the Season
The story is told of a kindergarten class who performed at their school’s winter pageant.
The students filed into the room and sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, one by one, the groups rose to perform.
A hush came over the audience as it dawned on them that what they were reading was the very heart of the season.
PHIL CALLAWAY
The kindergarten class was smiling, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters and bright toques. Those in front held up huge letters spelling out the title of the song, Christmas Love.
All was well, until suddenly they noticed that the girl proudly holding the letter “M” high was unaware that she had it upside down as a “W.”
A hush came over the audience as it dawned on them that what they were reading was the very heart of the season. For when the last Christmas Love letter was held high, the message read loud and clear: “Christ WAS Love.”
And He still is.
Thank You, Jesus, for Your divine act of love, for redeeming us that first unforgettable Christmas, then and now.
AT THE SALVATION ARMY’S SASKATOON TEMPLE, HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN GET THE HAPPY CHRISTMAS THEY DESERVE.
by Ken Ramstead
Photos: Nathan Regamey
EVERY CHRISTMAS, A MAGICAL
transformation comes over The Salvation Army’s Saskatoon Temple.
The church’s gymnasium is turned into a North Pole toy shop, complete with row upon row of toys.
Parents or caregivers register in advance. When they arrive, they receive a gift card for the food portion of their hamper.
“This recognizes that not all families in our community want a traditional turkey Christmas dinner,” explains Captain Derek Kerr, pastor at Saskatoon Temple. “It gives them the flexibility of choosing how they want to spend those funds.”
The parents or caregivers then go to the toy shop where they are met by a staff member or volunteer. There, they can walk through and choose two toys for each of their children, specific to that child’s needs and wants.
“They have the dignity of choosing items that would be more appropriate for their child than what we could do if we were packing ourselves,” says Captain Angela Kerr, who pastors with her husband, Captain Derek, at Saskatoon Temple.
Volunteer Blessings
Saskatoon Temple’s story is a big one to tell.
“We’re a pretty busy ministry unit at Christmastime,” adds Captain Derek. “We help anywhere from 3,500 to 4,500 families, depending on the year. A lot of people come through.”
It takes an army of volunteers to do what Saskatoon Temple does, including generous and appreciated corporate sponsors and staff, who come alongside each parent or caregiver as they walk through the toy shop.
“The volunteers are always telling us what a blessing it is to be part of the toy shop,” says Captain Angela, “but they are a blessing to us and to the people we serve.”
Community and Congregation
Saskatoon Temple’s Christmas hamper program has been going on for several decades, long before the Kerrs arrived on the scene.
For the Kerrs, though, the program holds a special place in their hearts. Before they were Salvation Army pastors, the young couple were clients who were assisted by The Salvation Army one Christmas.
“The hamper program is important to us because when we were clients ourselves, the love and support we received from The Salvation Army was simply incredible,” says Captain Angela.
(Left) Christmas Happiness
Captain Angela Kerr with some of the children who have benefited from the good work done at Saskatoon Temple
Wooden Wonders
These handmade toys have brightened the lives of hundreds in the community
“So now we try to pay it forward.”
“There’s no better time of year to be a Salvation Army pastor than at Christmas,” Captain Derek goes on to say. “Sometimes, people just want to talk to us in the lineup or share a story. It’s more than just toys; we’re providing friendship, love and support.”
One of the recent additions to the toy shop was a prayer station.
A shipping box was transformed into a “gingerbread house” in the lobby, and guests are invited to write a prayer while waiting in line. On the following Sunday, the congregation is asked to read out the prayer requests.
“There’s a lot of interaction bet ween community and congregation,” comments Captain Angela.
Hampers of Hope
The hampers are not just about food and toys, however. They also include copies of Faith & Friends and Just for Kids for the children, as well as flyers pertaining to church programs.
“It’s important that we also share the gospel message,” says Captain Derek. “The Salvation Army’s slogan
is Giving Hope Today, and I feel that we are giving hampers of hope.
“That’s really what it’s all about: hope.”
Making an Impact
Despite the gruelling 12-14-hour days leading up to Christmas, the Kerrs wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s a privilege to sit on the other side of the table when someone comes through the line and shares their story with you, and you get to hear that story and pray for them, and I don’t ever want to become disconnected from that privilege,” says Captain Derek. “And I use that word carefully, because I know it truly is a privilege to be doing the work that we do and to be walking with families, because we have been on the other side of the table.”
“God always provides a moment, and that moment comes through someone reminding you of the significant impact you’re having by sharing the love of Jesus,” concludes Captain Angela. “That’s absolutely what carries us through the holidays.”
Terrific Twosome
Captains Angela and Derek Kerr in front of Saskatoon Temple
Salvation at Christmas
A NEW CANADIAN FAMILY WAS LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO WORSHIP AT A SALVATION ARMY CHURCH IN SASKATOON. BUT THEY FOUND SO MUCH MORE.
by Ken Ramstead
Abubakar (not his real name), his wife and their five children immigrated to Canada in September 2024.
As practising Christians in Nigeria, they had found joy in attending church back home. Now, they were looking for the same in Saskatoon, where they had settled.
Abubakar’s sister had found the family an apartment, which happened to be conveniently close
to The Salvation Army’s Saskatoon Temple church.
Welcoming Worship
“Brother,” Abubakar’s sister told him, “there’s a church nearby to the apartment you rented. You and your family could go there and worship God.”
Right before Christmas, she brought them to the church herself. Abubakar and his family had
Photo: Nathan Regamey
never been to an Army church before, and they were pleasantly surprised by the reception they received from the congregation and the pastors, Captains Angela and Derek Kerr.
“The worship service was similar to what we’d been used to at home,” says Abubakar. “The pastors are wonderful. They preach the Bible. That’s one thing I like about The Salvation Army here. There is no diluting the truth or trying to say the truth in another way; they say it like it is. The Salvation Army is a church that leads people to Christ. That was why we stayed, and that’s why we still attend.”
Welcome Help
But Abubakar and his family found more than a place of worship at The Salvation Army.
“We came to Canada as immigrants, strangers in a strange land, with nothing,” says Abubakar. “We didn’t know our way around.”
So, the family were surprised when they looked out the window of their apartment right before Christmas.
“There was the Salvation Army van, and Captains Angela and Derek were there,” Abubakar says.
The pastors had brought them groceries, gift vouchers and gasoline cards, as well as winter jackets for the Saskatchewan winter. Later, they took the family grocery shopping.
“They really helped us and gave us support when we needed it,” he
smiles. “Who does that anymore? God does!”
Much-Needed Experience
That was not all.
Captain Angela hired Abubakar’s wife and one of their daughters to work at their Christmas toy shop over the holiday period, getting their first practical Canadian work experience (see article on page 8).
“My daughter still works for The Salvation Army at one of the shelters downtown,” Abubakar proudly states.
Saving Christmas
“I can’t imagine what it must feel like to relocate your family to a new country,” says Captain Angela, “arriving with very little, not knowing anyone, settling into a different culture and often learning a new language.
“At The Salvation Army, we have the privilege of being able to welcome people by sharing the love of Jesus through practical gestures, such as a food hamper and toys at Christmastime. Seeing the smiles on children’s faces and the relief on parents’ faces as we help to bring a little hope to their Christmas brings us a tremendous amount of joy.
“I often wonder who is more blessed when we are distributing our Christmas hampers. Is it the recipient, or is it me?”
As far as Abubakar is concerned, he knows “The Salvation Army saved our Christmas.”
Every Little Bit Helps Justin Hewitt hopes his kettle contributions can help more people find places to live
A Heart for the Homeless
Why 11-year-old Justin donates to The Salvation Army.
by Juan Romero
Justin Hewitt, 11, from Napanee, Ont., went to a local grocery store to spend the $15 he had in his pocket. However, he ended up spending this not on himself, but on others. He donated all the money he
had to a Salvation Army Christmas kettle.
“I always care about people. There shouldn’t be homeless people at all,” Justin says. “Everyone should always have a place to live.”
“Go Ahead!”
This isn’t the first time Justin has supported the kettle campaign. He recalls being fascinated by kettles at a young age.
“When I was five, it was the first time I saw a kettle,” he says. “I asked my mom if I could put two dollars in it.”
His grandmother and guardian, Sheila Birch, says Justin has always had a big heart for helping others.
“Ever since he was little, whenever he saw a kettle he would say, ‘Nana, Nana. Can I have money to put in?’ ” Sheila says. “I would give him a few dollars and say, ‘Go ahead!’ It’s something he has always wanted to do.”
Following by Example
Justin’s grandparents are proud of his commitment to helping The Salvation Army as they have been
associated with the organization for a long time.
“If we needed extra items for our children, The Salvation Army was always there for us,” James Birch, Justin’s grandfather, shares.
The Army provided the Birch family with extra food and clothing for their children and grandchildren.
“Giving to The Salvation Army will always be good for the people they help.”
JAMES BIRCH
Justin also attends summer camps run by The Salvation Army.
Sheila and James encourage people to follow Justin’s example by donating to the kettles.
“If you can give, give!” Sheila says.
“Giving to The Salvation Army will always be good for the people they help,” James adds.
As for Justin, he will continue to donate to Salvation Army kettles whenever he can, hoping his contributions can help more people find places to live.
