Strong storms moving across the Deep South killed at least three people, smashed into buildings, downed trees, and left a trail of destruction Monday. Many lost their homes, one community lost a school, another, its place of worship.

Yes, it’s the week before Christmas, and the storms left many homeless. No home, no Christmas tree with packages beneath it. Things look bleak for many of our neighbors to the South, who are just thankful to be alive today.

In the midwest, at least nine people have died in weather related crashes amid a storm that dumped nearly a foot of snow in places, forced schools to close and snarled traffic. Hardest hit of the states were Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas,

The same storm that brought severe weather to the Southeast Monday is going to bring some snow to the New England states of New Hampshire and Maine.

It seems in the week and days leading up to Christmas, Mother Nature is spreading mischief – mischief that drains the spirit, the joy, and laughter right out of the holiday.

It is stories such as these that touch all of us this Christmas, and cause us to give thanks for our blessings and to realize that the rain isn’t so bad as long as it doesn’t flood, and the cold temperatures aren’t that bad if we have heat in the house.

We don’t often say prayers of thanks for a warm house and a roof that don’t leak, and even for electric lights as long as they are there. But, when they’re gone, we have a tendency to fuss and gripe a bit.

Yes, the weather can be a challenge. Yes, we are blessed.

But, we must remember there are many without a home this Christmas, some who are struggling to pay their utility bill, and can’t afford to buy Christmas presents for their children. There are many ways to help those struggling for some joy this Christmas – give to the Salvation Army Red Kettles, find a favorite charity and donate from both the pocketbook and heart. If that isn’t enough, look around you, open not only your eyes, but your heart to the needs that present themselves everyday. Visit the grocery store, pay for a family’s groceries; look at the feet of those you see at the grocery store, the Wal-Mart. Do they need a good pair of warm shoes? If so, buy them.

If you choose not to look at their feet, look at their body. Could they use a warm coat, a pair of gloves? If so, buy them.

You may be the only one that sees these needs.

Christmas was deliberate on the part of Jesus. There was a reason for Christmas. There is still a reason for Christmas, and it’s not all about us, but it’s about the needs we see every day around us.

Take time during the next few days to visit someone in the nursing home, to do something for an elderly neighbor. Take time to spend an afternoon with a child, who is fatherless or motherless.

There are many ways to spread Christmas cheer, and there are many places to spread it.

At times like this, it may be beneficial for all of us to remember the old story about the starfish on the beach. Based loosely on The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley, it goes something like this: A young boy or, if you prefer, a young girl, is walking along a beach where hundreds (maybe thousands) of starfish have washed ashore and are dying. He, or she, is walking along, picking up one starfish at a time and throwing it back into the water. An adult comes along, and attempts to be the voice of reason, by suggesting there’s no real point in the child’s actions. Since there are so many starfish, tossing a few back will barely make a difference. Looking at the one about to be thrown back to safety in the saltwater, the child says, “It will make a difference to this one.”

If you haven’t already, we encourage you to pick a way you can afford to spread the holiday cheer. Participating in a fundraising meal, picking out a small toy for a poor child, or giving $10 to a good cause can make a real difference to someone in need.