Christmas is my favorite time of year, and it happens to be one of the best times to bless others. I love Christmas. From, decorations to the tree, to shopping, to giving gifts, to getting gifts, to see family, to just an amazing “jolly” time. I feel like December is always filled with great memories and precious time spent in laughter filled with love. I think it is partly because I try to spend as much time as possible with the people I love. However, this year I feel like God has really been teaching me what love means. Because of this, I want my husband and I to really take time to bless others this year outside of our friends and family. We are called to the hands and feet of Jesus and share his love with the world. What an amazing birthday gift to Him!
Here are my top 10 ideas for How To Bless Others During Christmas:
1. Deliver blankets to homeless people around town.
2. Serve people who are constantly serving others. Drop of goodies or gift cards to local ministry leaders who are constantly giving their time and efforts to others. Take a moment to share appreciation for what they do and how you are blessed by it.
3. Thank local firemen and police officers by bringing them notes of appreciation and goodies.
4. Pick one family you know is struggling during the expensive Christmas season and leave a BIG (or as big as you can) blessing in their mailbox anonymously.
5. Pay for someones meal/coffee behind you in the drive-thru
6. Find out when a local assisted living home is having their Christmas Party and go visit with them and bring little notes of blessing.
7. Contact your local airport or veterans association office and see how you can help welcome troops home for the holidays.
8. Clean out your closets and donate to local shelters and organizations.
9. Each pick 10 people in your life that you think go unthanked and are under appreciated. Take the time to write them heart-felt notes of thanks and mail them out.
10. Each pick an organization in town that you would like to go volunteer at and serve others for a few hours (or a whole day) together. This a great time to do something that means a lot to your spouse and to learn and grow from others.
By blessing and serving others, I feel that we truly grow in our relationship together and our relationship with Christ. When we stop focusing on ourselves so much and focus on others, great things can happen that shape our lives and who were are. When we are more focused on “loving God and loving our neighbors,” we are experiencing biblical joy. And, nothing can top that.