Christmas is such a joyous season because it's brimming with hope, love, and is a reminder of the birth of Christ. There's joy in understanding Christ's sacrifice and knowing that we have been saved from the confines of hell. There's joy in understanding His remarkable and never-ending love for us. With this understanding should come an outpouring of love for our family, friends, and loved ones.
With this season, this outpouring of love comes most obviously in the form of presents. Oooh, I just cannot wait to see what I get this year!
But oftentimes, we forget of those who may be in harder situations, may not have loved ones around, and may not have anybody to give them presents. I think it's so important to show Christ's love to these people, especially during this season.
I listen to 99.5 (the local Christmas music station) basically 24/7 these days
and I was touched by a phone call that was made to the station telling a story,
The phone call to the Christmas music station detailed a woman's trip to her local Nursing home one Christmas. She examined all of the presents that the residents received and also noticed the lack of smiles, laughter, and overall joviality.
When asking one man if he cared to open his present he replied saying, "I already know what it is. It's a handkerchief, I've gotten one for the past ten years." Of course, the woman was absolutely heartbroken. She made up her mind to get these residents presents they desired.
The requests she received were not unique but she realized how much it meant for someone to show that they cared. A request for a plant, some shaving cream, and a book brought the happiness that they needed that season.
So this Christmas, I encourage you to maybe visit a Nursing Home and show these people love. Maybe even bring them a present they might like or sing them some carols. It will warm your heart and theirs.
This Christmas many people will be surrounded with presents they've wanted and a feast to share with family. However, many will also not have these things. There are so many opportunities to donate (both items AND your time!). It's guaranteed that you will make a difference.
We all know how hard it is to buy presents for our loved ones but it's even harder to make a homemade gift. Try gifting a homemade gift this season and it will surely warm your loved ones hearts!
You can choose to volunteer at the local homeless shelter, the soup kitchen, play an instrument / sing songs for children who are stuck in the hospital, volunteer at the hospital, etc. I believe that time is the greatest gift that you can provide someone and this will surely warm their hearts!
The best thing you can do this season is spread encouragement through your words. This is free and definitely not hard to do! Encourage someone, remind your family how much you love and cherish them, and compliment those you normally wouldn't.
What ways do you spread your love and cheer during this season? Thank you for reading!
15 comments
Awesome, awesome post. This is so beautiful! If only more people thought like you... <3
ReplyDeleteI love spreading joy especially during Christmas time and the holidays! All these are great ideas. I am donating a bunch of toys to kids this year!
ReplyDeleteMikayla | A Seersucker State of Mind.
These are all great ideas!
ReplyDeleteWe are volunteering this weekend :)
xoxo, Jenny || Breakfast at Lillys
My favorite gift that I received this year was a homemade one!! I love making gifts for my friends too. :-) This is a wonderful list of ideas!
ReplyDeletexoxo A
www.southernbelleintraining.com
What amazing ideas! This time of year is about giving, not receiving :) It's important to remember that.
ReplyDeleteXoLindsay
Sugar & Something
Love this! So great to keep others in mind this time of year.
ReplyDeleteGreat list! Giving back is so important!
ReplyDeletexo,
Stephanie
Diary of a Debutante
www.thediaryofadebutante.com
Love these great ideas for the season of giving!
ReplyDeletewww.kayleighskloset.com
Every year I compile hundreds of blessings bags for the homeless in my area...giving back feels so good!
ReplyDeleteWow that is amazing Shane! I'd love to hear some more about this!
DeleteI love these thoughtful ideas! It's wonderful to give back around the Christmas season.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy volunteering during the holidays. I love to brighten people's spirits and bring joy! It's a fav of mine!
ReplyDeleteNicole // Chronicling Home
I love this because it really gets to the point of Christmas and the holiday season in general!
ReplyDeleteThis list is perfect! I think going Christmas caroling at nursing homes might be my favorite to do!
ReplyDeletexx, Southwestern Prepster
During this time of the year, I always like to buy a few presents for kids and donate them! I know a lot of families are not able to buy their children Christmas presents so I like to do that to help out as little as I can.
ReplyDelete