This led to a conversation among the OAMM staffers in which we swapped ideas for incorporating giving into our family holiday traditions. Can I just say that I am blessed by this community every day? I am particularly blessed to see the ways in which they show love to their families and strangers alike, and not just during the holidays. No one is loud or showy about it. They just quietly do what the Spirit lays on their hearts to do. So allow me to share some of the ideas for holiday giving traditions that came out of our conversation, in hopes that you might be inspired and encouraged as I was.
Giving Abroad
We talked about how this might be more difficult for young children to understand, but it can also be an opportunity to broaden their perspective. “God so loved the world…” and I believe we should too.
1. Sponsor a Child – You can help meet the physical and spiritual needs of a child in poverty through Compassion International or World Vision International. These groups also provide opportunities to contribute to disaster relief and critical needs as they arise. Some fun ideas from OAMM staffers: choose a child that shares a birthday, anniversary, or other memorable date with you or one of your children. You also have the opportunity to develop a relationship with your sponsored child through letter writing, small gifts, sharing prayer requests, etc.
2. Operation Christmas Child – Samaritans Purse sends shoebox Christmas gifts to children around the world each year. It isn’t too late! You can still pack a box online.
3. Support the Persecuted Church – Our brothers and sisters surely covet our prayers. Organize a calendar to pray through in the days leading up to Christmas or in this coming year. There are also organizations such as The Voice of the Martyrs or Christian Freedom International that provide more tangible ways to give and to relieve that suffering.
4. Support Those Serving Abroad – This can include military, missionaries, teachers, doctors or anyone who works or serves overseas. It is difficult to be far from home during the holidays. Send them a special card or note. Maybe you can find out what it is they miss from home (like a special food or candy) and mail it to them. Talk to the missionaries sent by your church and see if they have any special needs for their ministry or among their congregation.
5. Make Giving a Gift in Itself – You know that person who doesn’t really want or need anything? Make a donation in their name! Maybe you want to give a gift that is especially meaningful? Purchase something from Trades of Hope or other fair trade organizations that empower those in poverty to make a living.
Giving Close to Home
It may not be as “glamorous” as some of the other ideas, but we all (I include myself!) need to learn to open our eyes and see the people around us who are hurting and have need. It might be as obvious as the man who stands in line at your local soup kitchen night after night. But it could be less obvious. It could be someone you brush shoulders with on a regular basis at work, church, school, etc.
1. Adopt a Family – Choose one family or person to minister to through the holiday season. Visit with them. Help meet a pressing need. Bring gifts. Bring food (Ahem, I know you all have your freezers stocked! No excuses!) Depending on the situation, you may even invite them to share a meal in your home. You may have someone in mind or know someone already that you can adopt. But if you don’t, check with your church or local shelter and they should be able to put you in touch with someone.
2. Giving Tree or Special Church Funds – This is similar to the one above, but it is more anonymous. You might not even know who receives the blessing from your gift. Some churches and shelters will set up a tree with ornaments that have a name, gender and age, and then you buy a gift for that person. Our church has a Deacon’s Fund, which they use to help families or individuals (in the church family or those who come seeking help) meet a special need.
3. Blessing Bags for the Homeless – I don’t know what your town is like, but where I live there is large homeless population. Fill a small bag with toiletries, mints, warm socks or gloves, gift cards for groceries or clothing, or other stocking stuffer type gifts and hand them out to those who approach you on the street or seek them out if you have a safe way to do that. You could also combine this with service at a soup kitchen or shelter.
4. Christmas Angel – I don’t know much about this, but one staffer suggested it as an alternative to the Elf on the Shelf. The story and the accompanying angel are designed to teach the true meaning of Christmas and encourage children to serve during the holidays. This particular staffer said she and her husband were trying to come up with 12 acts of service to do as a family this year. (Some of us like and use the Elf too! There is certainly nothing wrong with that.)
5. Bless Public Service Workers – One staffer shared that her family makes food and gifts and takes them to those who work tirelessly to keep the community safe such as firemen, police officers, ER doctors and nurses, etc. These men and women work long hours regularly, but they also give up holidays with their loved ones many times. They deserve a special thanks for the work they do!
How are you feeling? Inspired? Encouraged? I hope so! Please share some of your ideas and family giving traditions with us in the comments. You inspire us too!