The fun begins on Dec. 14, and it’s better than turtledoves or maids a-milking! This 12 Days of Christmas project helps keep Christ as the focus of Christmas.
Each day from Dec. 14-25, do one simple Christmas action project in Jesus’ name. With early preparation, most will take just a few minutes, but the impact will be great. You can do this with your kids, your small group or individually.
Use these idea-starters to determine 12 projects that fit your interest, talent, budget, schedule and town:
— Give gloves or a scarf to a needy person on a street corner. Keep the items ready in your car, with a Christmas note inside.
— Write and mail a personal Christmas note to a relative you won’t see during Christmas this year.
— Buy a hot chocolate for the Salvation Army bell ringer or a construction worker on a cold day.
— Ask a nursing home if some residents might like to hear a reading of the Christmas story from the Bible. Read, chat about memories, and pray for them.
— Donate a new coat for a child in need, with a Christmas note in the pocket. Work through church benevolence or school nurse.
— When someone you know is sick during the holidays, deliver soup and a note. Freeze homemade soup in preparation.
— Purchase a kid-friendly nativity set and give it to a neighbor with children.
— Visit a neighbor or friend who’ll be alone at Christmas. Take a thermos of hot water, tea bags and cups to serve Christmas tea.
— Invite someone who doesn’t usually attend church to the Christmas Eve service or Christmas Sunday worship. Meet them at the door.
— Deliver a small homemade gift with a note to:
• Your garbage truck driver (leave it on top of trash can with a ribbon)
• Sunday school teacher, minister or an elderly church acquaintance
• A school teacher or administrator (before school’s out)
• Restaurant server or drive-through cashier
• Favorite grocery cashier or bagger
• Your town’s mayor
• Your mail carrier
• A neighbor
Diana Davis
If you have extra homemade gifts, use them with other projects above.
Use your 12 Days project list to gather needed supplies in early December. Make several simple homemade gifts, such as a bookmark, nativity ornament, paperweight, ribbon tied on mistletoe, Christmas cookies. Attach a note to each gift item, including the words “Made just for you” and “Merry Christmas. God loves you!” For some projects, you may also include a church brochure or salvation tract.
Each day, prayerfully accomplish one project. It’s okay to do more than one in a day, but don’t skip a day. As you make a habit of being kind to others in His name, a “me, me, me” attitude morphs into a “Happy Birthday, Jesus!” focus. What a concept! This sounds a bit like Acts 20:35: “It is better to give than to receive.”
Show God’s true love. This simple 12 Days of Christmas project may make 2016 your best Christmas ever!
— Diana Davis is the author of “Across the Street and Around the World: Ideas to Spark Missional Focus.” For more “Fresh Ideas,” visit DianaDavis.org.