The Smile Business at Christmastime

Christmas Eve was not a typical day at my house as a child. Festive? Yes. Busy? Definitely. Purposeful? Absolutely.

The day began early with preparations for the annual Christmas Eve deliveries. Sturdy paper plates were piled high with delicious cookies. Jars of homemade pickled herring were decorated with bows. My dad’s smoked chickens were labeled with heating instructions. My mom’s freshly baked Swedish coffeecake was wrapped tightly. All of the gifts were loaded into the back of my family’s red Suburban, appropriately nicknamed, Rudolph. We would be off, singing “Jingle Bells” and laughing all the way.

Mom was the navigator with “The List” in hand, directing Dad to the next drop-off location. Through his family dental practice, my dad knew of many older patients without children and shut-ins that would be celebrating alone. We would make 25-30 stops on Christmas Eve to brighten the spirits of these lonely, lovely people. Dad would often dress as Santa Claus with the three of us kids as his elves. The recipients of our Christmas treats were never fooled by his costume. They’d come to the door with smiles and hugs for each of us. Many times the visits were punctuated with tears, joyful tears, because they were not forgotten.

I remember the year I realized the impact of my parent’s choice to serve others on Christmas Eve. Rather than hanging our stockings with care knowing they would be filled with trinkets and treasures, we served others quietly sharing the real Reason for the Season. We were the hands and feet of Jesus, purposely giving rather than focusing on what we’d be receiving.

And we were blessed! Around my grandparent’s dinner table, we’d enjoy a delicious meal and tell about our day. The man with the cute dog who was so glad to see us, the woman who was waiting, watching out her front window hoping we’d remember her as in years past. The couple whose children lived far away couldn’t be with them, standing on their front steps in the cold and crying, hugging, and thanking my parents for the holiday treats.

As an adult, I’m so grateful my parents took the time to make Christmas about giving, not receiving. I have such fond memories of our family Christmas Eve “sleigh ride” to deliver smiles to those who were lonely. My whole family was in the smile business on Christmas Eve!

Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart…
Proverbs 15:30a

©2015 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved.