I don’t have a big fluffy, white beard or a belly like a bowl full of jelly (Although, my wife would tell you that I am working on that last one.)

You won’t find any reindeer in my garage or a sled parked on my roof.

But I would like to think that I do have a little Santa Claus inside of me.

Now is the time of the year that should truly reflect on the joy that is giving rather than receiving. While that may be a concept some children have a hard time understanding, it one that adults should be able to come to terms with.

Sure, Christmas has become over-commercialized and the true meaning has been lost. The religious aspect of the holiday in honor of Jesus Christ’s birth certainly should take a much larger focus than it does.

But the joy of giving also can get lost in today’s society.

Although it is certainly rewarding and satisfying to give a friend or loved one that special gift that was thoughtfully sought out in the shopping chaos that overtakes many retail outlets for much of December, giving should be looked at with wider eyes and a little bigger heart.

Many people — possibly your friend, neighbor, loved one or maybe a stranger — right here in this community need a helping hand and could use some holiday joy in their lives that might not be present otherwise.

Giving doesn’t always have to be tied to money or material things. Maybe it is just a few minutes of your time.

Maybe it is just a warm handshake and friendly smile. Maybe it is just a hug and a “Merry Christmas.”

Although these things may seem to be minor, some times these simple acts of kindness can be among the most special gifts.

While I try to do a few little things to give something back, anything I do pales in comparison to so many others. Countless people in Ironton and Lawrence County are doing their part to make the holidays brighter for the entire community.

The Rev. Jeff Cremeans is a perfect example.

Jeff proudly followed in his father’s footsteps to lead the way at the City Welfare Mission, an organization that helps so many people each and every year but really rises to the challenge each Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Jeff spends hours of his precious time speaking to those in the community and explaining how much a difference every individual can make. The mission touches the lives of so many

and Jeff leads the way.

And there are so many other people like him who sacrifice their own time to spread some holiday joy and show that it truly is better to give than receive.

That is a Christmas story that we can all learn from.

Michael Caldwell is publisher of The Ironton Tribune. To reach him, call (740) 532-1445 ext. 24 or by e-mail at mike.caldwell@irontontribune.com.