The Wednesday reflection during Advent is always about money. Today in particular my thoughts have focussed on how the west demands third world countries to restructure to receive aid. As many have became aware through initiatives like Make Poverty History, this restructuring does more than harm the country, it enables the rich western capitalism machine to continue to grow nd gain momentum while our poorer, hungrier, colder brothers and sisters become penniless, starving and dead.

We can help in these situations. We can give. We can campaign. We can purchase wisely and ethically.

Do we carefully give only what we will not miss, while we happily admire the widow who throws in her last two coins?

As Christmas gets closer, I feel uncomfortable today about how I use my money.