PURE COUNTY BOTTLED WATER Our purification system includes: Filtration process Sediment filter Softened Carbon charcoal filter Reverse osmosis Ultra-violet light Charcoal buffer filter For information on home delivery phone 476-1376 17 MacSteven Drive Picton KOK 2T0 Understanding the Reason - Continued from page 13 he lived. He undoubtedly had incredible powers of persua- sion and of healing, the likes of which had never been seen before and have not been seen since. The example of his life stands out as a beacon for us all, and challenges us to be better than we are; challenges us to think more about our neighbor and less about ourselves; challenges us to see the world as a Creation of which we are an inseparable part, and challenges us to respect all that has been entrusted to our care. Let me correct one idea. It is that Christmas is all about giving and receiving gifts. It is not, and nice as they are, we are only responding to high pressure marketing and indulging ourselves at this time of year. But, and there is always a "BUT!" When we think about the "Spirit" of Christmas as meaning we should become more aware of others in need, and more open to providing hope to people who are struggling to survive; struggling to make ends meet, THEN and only then are we acting in the way the person whom we are remembering at this time of year would have expected of his followers. You see, in my mind is the single mom whose dis- ability income is little more than $1000 per month, strug- Hicks' General Store ©.) Milford =n x 476-5258 Groceries Gasoline - Ice ATM Video Rentals etc., etc., etc. FALL HOURS MON. - SAT - 7:30 am to 7:00 pm SUNDAY - 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Interac, Visa, MasterCard accepted gling to raise a 12 year old and a 17 year old. In my mind are those who, in spite of their best efforts, are unemployed or are existing on minimum wage. In my mind are those people in other countries who live in appalling conditions. In my mind is the thought that initially, the circumstances of my own birth helped me to be the person that I am now, making me one of the world's more affluent people. If I had one wish this Christmas it would simply be that no child would ever be born into poverty again. We live on a paradise called Earth which has more than suffi- cient resources to meet all our needs and more besides, but we must continue with ever greater vigor and understand- ing to try to ensure that these resources are more equitably distributed. A world today in which the vast majority of its riches are held by less than 1 percent of its population is the same world which caused a man named Jesus to speak out, and ultimately, to give his life for what he believed was justice for all. That is the real story of Christmas. Think about it! Blessings to you this Christmas, and may it sur- round you all with Hope, Love and Peace. Pastor lan. WWW .pastorian.com