This Christmas, give time to joy

Dear  user,

December is ‘the month of the seekers’. They look for Christmas presents, decorations, cards and more. Actually, what they are looking for is joy, someone else’s joy which can only warm their hearts. 

At Christmas, there is someone who is still waiting for something good: the children – like the little refugees who arrived from the Greek island of Lesbos and have been welcomed in Italy. At last they will spend Christmas warmed up by the love of many friends, far away from the cold and muddy tents of Moria refugee camp. Many older people are waiting for Christmas too: they are often lonely, waiting for a visit, looking for the warmth of a family, wondering whether someone cares about them. People with disabilities, who are true artist of friendship, are waiting for dignity and respect to be given back to them. Homeless people are waiting for Christmas, while the temperature is getting lower and lower. They are many all over the world. Too many indeed. We meet them all year long in different parts of the world: London, Jakarta, New York, and dozens of other cities. It’s the world of the invisible, whose names sometimes are known only by God. We get them food or blankets and above all we look for a place where they can stay. Recently in Rome, thanks to Pope Francis and the Community, a large house has been opened for them, close to Piazza San Pietro.

Christmas is for them all. For our poor friends. For those who don’t have a place to stay. We want to arrange a place for them. An extra place. Thousand places. In these days, wherever a Community of Sant’Egidio is, Christmas Lunches are prepared for the poor. So that on the day of the feast nobody will be lonely. So that on the day when Jesus is born a new hope for the poor and the lonely ones will be born too.

Learn more. Download the Christmas Lunch e-book and discover how to prepare a Christmas table as big as the world.

Get Involved. Feel free to contact us if you would like to participate in any way to our services or give us a hand in other ways. You can get in contact with the Community which is nearest to you through this form.

Christmas Giving 2019. There are many ways to help make our Christmas meals for homeless, elderly and lonely a reality. We believe everyone should get a warm meal, some good company and a great personalised present. To make this all happen, we need your help. Find out how to donate.