I’d like to respond to a letter written by the Rev. Douglas Taylor, printed Dec. 30.

The spirit of Christmas is beautiful. It’s amazing that people who have very little will give what they can to help their fellow neighbor. It is absolutely unselfish for so many who donate time to soup kitchens and shelters, and spend time wrapping gifts for toys donated to so many children who otherwise would have no Christmas.

There are so many right now who want to give their children all they want but are struggling just to barely give basic food and shelter. A toy under the tree is indeed a miracle for the child who wrote a letter to Santa asking for just one toy. For the mother who cried because she thought there would be nothing to set under the tree.

Which now leads me to Rev. Taylor’s observation of Somalis coming out of the Salvation Army building with “their arms full of presents and they don’t even celebrate Christmas. You’ve got to love it.”

Well, I don’t love it and I’ll explain why.

While there are so many families in dire need of help this year for food, shelter and gifts for their children, the Somali community is seen taking from those who do celebrate Christmas.

Shame on them, and shame on Rev. Taylor for “loving it” so much.

Heather Thomas-Billings, Lewiston