Written by Hugh Priestner, TWAM Volunteer

'Do you remember the little books by Roger Hargeaves? His most famous collection was The Mister Men. But I remember one called Roundies and Squaries. And the best page of all proclaimed: Roundies count their blessings; Squaries count their money!

There is no time quite like Christmas for reminding us to count our blessings. So how might we go about that? Our time is a great gift and so are the resources we have been given. We will be planning where we spend Christmas, with whom and what presents we will buy for them. These thoughts can so easily lead us into thinking that one way or another, we have got it covered.

But nothing could be further from the truth. We are indebted to Christina Rossetti (and others) for capturing this in her Christmas poem, now sung as a Carol: In the bleak midwinter.

Here we meet the sheer generosity of God, who took the biggest risk of all and comes to us as a defenceless and vulnerable baby. It was enough for Him, Mary’s milk, a bed of hay and the quiet worship of the animals. Yet His poverty is so starkly different from ours. We enter the stable, along with the shepherds and the wise men, seeing God’s grace, gifted to us in

Jesus. That is the most profound blessing and there is another: it is a gift of love, nothing less.

What can I give Him, poor as I am? The currency is love. So, yes, it is my heart that I resolve to give, however far I fall short.

"I have a dream to start my own community school one day" - Blessings Mulenga, hand knitting, Zambia

And I have even been given a further way of signalling God’s gracious gift. Tools with a Mission, where I volunteer, has its Christmas appeal called Gifts for the Journey. This is my opportunity to pay for a gift that will enable a person in East Africa to break free from poverty, by providing a kit of tools that will be refurbished and sent from our centres in Rugby or Ipswich.

The cost of creating these kits range from £20 - £45. They provide Sewing Machines; Knitting Machines; Mechanics and Electricians Kits; Building and Carpentry; and Computer Kits. Would you join with me and respond with blessed generosity to the generosity of God that is at the heart of Christmas?'

Alternative gifts are thoughtful presents that support TWAM in someone else’s name. Instead of gifting a physical item, you choose to fund something meaningful on their behalf, such as a sewing machine or carpentry kit sent to Africa. You can choose to receive or send a card or message, explaining the impact made.

For TWAM, alternative gifts provide vital income during the festive season. Demand for TWAM tools rises sharply over the winter months (when the weather is driest and hottest in sub-Saharan Africa). Alternative gifts offer a reliable, timely boost, helping us plan ahead and deliver essential tools where they’re most needed.

By choosing to fund an alternative gift, you can share the true spirit of Christmas by showing care for loved ones whilst directly helping communities in need.

You can donate to our Christmas alternative gift appeal on https://www.twam.uk/christmasgifts, over the phone at 01473 210220, or by email to post@twam.uk.

Click on the image to buy a TWAM alternative gift this Christmas!