The Gift of Service
A friend of mine, a young mom with three children, wanted to find a way to serve others over the holidays. A number of wonderful options were available online throughout the community but weren’t exactly what she had in mind. She and her husband had chosen a to adopt a family through their church but she wondered what else they could do as a family. She and I talked about looking closer to home, to serve those in the neighborhood, at church, and at school. The task seemed less daunting and more personal when a quick trip down the block is the destination for an act of holiday kindness.
Service to others doesn’t have to be about the “big things” like a mission trip, a large donation, or a complicated service project. Small gestures of love and homemade gifts are always appreciated. Gifts from the heart made with one’s own hands, personally delivered, fill others with joy. When I was a child, my family spent most of Christmas Eve delivering homemade gifts (cookies, pickled herring, Swedish coffeecake, and smoked chickens) to shut-ins and the elderly who didn’t have family to share Christmas. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35) was impressed on my siblings and me.
Think about those who may be overlooked. The widow who lost her husband in February who is facing the first Christmas without her spouse. The school nurse who has bandaged your child’s knees repeatedly from falls on the playground. The Sunday school teacher who spends hours preparing lessons to teach your child about Jesus.
And the gifts do not need to be excessive. My friend bakes truly amazing scones. To receive a festive plate wrapped in cello with a big red bow would be a thoughtful Christmas gift! Think about a special holiday treat you make. Package it for Christmas and share the love. Or give the gift of time. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking.
• Offer to babysit for the neighbors.
• Deliver a poinsettia to the school secretary.
• Invite an elderly neighbor for coffee and Christmas cookies.
• Help the single mom down the street hang her Christmas lights.
• Give the church custodian, who always shovels the walks, a pair of warm socks and a thank you note.
• Make mini loaves of pumpkin, banana, or cinnamon bread. Attach a bow and a cheerful message. Deliver to each family in your neighborhood or the staff at church.
• Challenge your kids to always have a coin ready to put in the Salvation Army kettles.
Get your kids involved, no matter the age. They can and should be part of the plan. Children can make gift tags and write special notes. Take them along to make deliveries too.
The best gifts are not necessarily in boxes and bags. They come from the heart and a willingness to reach out to others. Shine on those who may need to see the Light this Christmas, those who may otherwise be forgotten.
In the same way, let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds and
glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
© 2012 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved.
If you’ve been encouraged by this post, please take a moment to subscribe to the Faith First Parent e-newsletter, join in the conversation on the Facebook page or share the post with a friend.
Photo by freestocks.org on Unsplash