I’m so excited to announce a 4-week series for each Monday until Christmas: ‘Tis the Season! I’ll be joining Erin @ The Humbled Homemaker and Leigh Ann @ Intentional By Grace in discussing the true meaning of Christmas. Today our topic is ‘Tis the Season to Serve.

Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year.  On top of the normal, everyday duties, there is also extra shopping to do, gifts to wrap, food to make, decorations to put up, and parties to attend. Whew…just thinking about it can wear me out!

With all of the busy-ness of the season, it’s no wonder that serving others can often get put on the backburner.  But I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the Messiah’s birth, than to show His love and humility to others!

Serving others doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or even a lot of time.  Although both of those things are ways that we can express the love of God to others, we can still show His love without being rich or having tons of extra time to give. 

As with all areas of my life, I find that if I am intentional about serving others and have a plan of action, it is much more likely to actually happen. 

That’s why I am planning on doing several of the things of off this list of seven practical ways to serve others this Christmas season (or any season!):

1. Offer to babysit someone’s children while they are preparing for Christmas.

Give a friend a time that you would be able to watch her children, so that she can shop, cook, wrap presents, decorate, whatever.  A set block of time with no little ones in tow will allow your friend to get a lot accomplished.  This is a great way to be a big blessing to someone without spending any money.

2. Keep small gift bags in your car to give to homeless people at intersections.

Buy small gift bags and fill them with personal hygiene items, food items (such as nuts, granola bars, dried fruit, etc.), and small clothing items (such as mittens, socks, scarves, etc.).  When you see a homeless or needy person out on the street, you will be prepared to give them something that they can actually use and will be so grateful for.

It is very easy to pass judgment on these type of people that we see walking on the street or standing at the intersection.  I’ve done it myself, unfortunately.  But we have to remember that they are real, live people with feelings, needs, and emotions just like you and me.  And when we reach out and show love to them, it’s the same as though we were doing it to Jesus!  Wow – what an opportunity and an honor!

3. Replace one present to each of your immediate family members with a donation to your favorite charity on their behalf.

We, as a nation, are struggling economically right now – that’s no secret.  Yet, we still are richer and have more than most of the world’s population could ever dream.  Most children will receive more presents this year at Christmas, than other children in the world will receive in their whole life.

What if we replaced one present to each family member with a donation to a charity.  Compassion International is a wonderful organization that does so much to care for and help so many people.  Maybe as a family this year, you could pick a child to sponsor? 

You could still wrap this present of a donation up and have your children open it on Christmas morning.  Children are very giving people, and they will love this – especially if they have pictures of another child that they know they are helping.  This is a great opportunity to teach your children about loving and giving to others.

4. Pick out a missionary family or soldier overseas to send a care package to for Christmas.

I can imagine that if I were in another country with a strange culture at Christmas time, I would feel a slight tug at my heart, longing to be home with family and friends to celebrate Christ’s birth.  Do you know any missionaries or soldiers who are overseas this Christmas? 

Put together a small box full of small gifts, food, cards, and pictures.  Let them know that you are thinking about them and praying for them.  This might seem like a small act of kindness to us, but it will be so big to the ones receiving the boxes.  It may be the only thing they receive this Christmas, and it will be more encouraging than we could ever think.

5. Deliver a nice, prepared dinner to a needy family.

Lately, I have been trying to make an intentional effort to make a double portion of our dinner every so often, and then deliver the extra portion to a friend, neighbor, or someone I know is in need.

Sometimes, I complain to myself that there isn’t enough money in our food budget, when in reality, we eat better and more often than most people in the world.  How selfish of me!  Reaching out and sharing what I have with others does wonders for making me thankful and grateful to God for everything that I do have. 

Knowing that a delicious, healthy, already prepared dinner will be the highlight of some people’s Christmas season, really puts things into perspective for me.  It also fills my heart with love and compassion for those less fortunate than myself.

6. Write letters of love and encouragement to your friends and family, as well as those who are lonely and hurting.

To receive a handwritten note in this day of email, facebook, and twitter is a rather rare thing.  And even though I love receiving encouraging emails from others, it still doesn’t compare to when I receive a handwritten note or a card full of loving and encouraging words.  There is something special about holding a letter in your hand, written by someone who cares for you.

On top of our friends and family, who would love a sweet note of love from us this Christmas, there are also so many people out there who are lonely and hurting.  Think of widows/widowers, orphans, the elderly…those who have lost a loved one.  A sincere note of love would do more to encourage their lonely hearts than we might think.  The power of kind words is very real.  

7. Invite someone who doesn’t have anyone to spend Christmas with, to spend the day with you and your family.

Do you know anyone who is going to be spending Christmas alone this year?  A college student away from home?  An elderly person with no family?  While they might act like it’s okay and it’s no big deal, the truth is, they would probably love to be around others and share in your celebrations and traditions.  Invite them to spend the day with you and your family!

When Christmas day arrives, and they are at your house, treat them just as if they were a part of your family.  Make them feel welcome and at ease.  If you exchange gifts, have some small but meaningful gifts for them as well.  Love them, serve them, and have fun with them.  This will be one of the most special Christmas years that they ever look back at.

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This is just a little list of seven practical ways that were laid on my heart of how I can serve others this year at Christmas time. Most of these things can actually be done all year round.  Letting Christ show His love through me, is such an amazing thing that continuously fills my heart with more and more love for others.  I don’t reach out nearly as often as I should.  But the more I do reach out and give, the more I have a burden to love and help others.  That is a vicious cycle that I want to be a part of!

Be sure to visit the other two posts in this series:

‘Tis the Season to Serve with Little Ones @ The Humbled Homemaker

‘Tis the Season to Serve Like Saint Nick @ Intentional by Grace

Come back next week for the second installment: ‘Tis the Season to Celebrate!

Do you have any other ways to serve others this Christmas?