Now that Christmas is over and we are turning the leaf on another year, it is a good time to reflect on how blessed we were this past year and how much more we can bless the lives of others in the new year. Don't let the memories of this year fade before adding to them and using them to propel you into the next year!
The reason for simplifying Christmas is so that we have more time and money to share with others. If you felt like you still weren't able to share like you would have liked to, then this is a great time to prepare for next year. Why wait? If you do a little each day, week or month. You won't regret it!
Here are some suggestions to get you started:
COIN JARS
There are a couple of ways to do this. But the point is to start collecting your coins early in the year so that you will have a good sum to cash in and use towards charity at the end of the year.
You can set up a family jar that everyone contributes to. Or give one to each child. Then encourage them to pay their tithes, save for themselves and give a little to the jar each time they receive money for work they have done.
One year we did this, only we started kind of late. But still we ended up with about $60 bucks. I am sure that we can do better than that if we start early enough. This way, you don't feel the strain as much at the end of the year but you still get to give. And it keeps a Christ centered Christmas in your heart all year long.
I am sure you already have jars lying around. Maybe you got some "brownie in jar" or "hot chocolate in a jar" treats from your neighbors this Christmas:) If not, start collecting those jars now and put them to work.
Here are some example of how simple others are doing it...
FOOD FOR THE POOR
This year we were able to go down to the homeless shelter and hand out some fruit snacks, granola bars and oranges on Christmas Eve. Only, there were a lot of people who didn't take anything (Well just about everyone took fruit snacks. My son was so pleased, he kept saying, "Everyone likes these!!!) because they were full... Reason being that they were being catered to all day long; the way it should be for Christmas. But it made us think that maybe we can reach out to the homeless at other times of the year as well.
Maybe handing out water bottles in the summer, or fresh fruit might be nice. Just cash out your coin jar quarterly and use that.
SERVICE IN WARM WEATHER
Some things are tough to do in the winter with little kids because of how cold it is outside, well at least in Utah where we live, you in CA are lucky! So when it is nice, try to find service projects that you can do outside.
Pick up trash at parks or in your neighborhood
Wash windows
Hand out flowers
High Five people in the park
VISIT THE ELDERLY
This is something I should do more throughout the year. My kids are a little timid around the elderly, which just means they need to be around them more. I hope to be able to do more service for the nursing homes in our area. Maybe just taking the kids down there with some flowers to hand out, or little origami birds or something. Hopefully we can make new friends and adopt a grandparent. Mine live in CA:( so I don't get to see them much.
If you have any ideas please share! I would love to hear from you!
God bless and Happy New Year!!
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