The Season of Giving

When my children were young, the most important aspect of the Christmas season that I wished them to learn was the meaning behind it.  Of course, they knew the story of the birth of Christ from the time they were very small. I tried to teach them one important fact: Christmas is for giving, not receiving.

An important lesson many adults forget while raising children is that they don't learn what you tell them.  What sticks the most is what you show them.

You may tell them to be polite to everyone they encounter, but when they see you being rude to a sales representative, what lesson will they actually remember?  Therefore, I always felt it was important to involve them in the giving aspect of the season.  We shopped for and delivered gifts to needy families through our church youth group. They dropped money into Salvation Army buckets. We picked out gifts for Toys for Tots together.

Throughout December, we would use an Advent Calendar to count down the days.  Each morning they took turns pulling a tiny ornament out of the calendar pocket and placing it on the calendar's tree.  They also pulled out a tiny slip of paper.  On that paper listed a deed they must accomplish that day.  "Say a kind word to someone who needs it" or "help someone carry something today."  I wanted them to understand that a person does not need money to make a difference in the world.  Only a bit of kindness.

This year when I purchased our usual holiday dog treats at our local pet store, the treats I usually buy were on sale: buy one, get one for half price.  Certainly, my dog does not need two bags of treats.  So I placed the extra bag in the bin next to the door for donations to the local Humane Society chapter.  Perhaps some homeless dogs would enjoy Christmas treats, too.

This got me thinking back to the Advent Calendar and the days of doing a good deed each day, and how little it would have to cost.  I made it my goal to do an act of kindness every day leading up to Christmas.

One day, I helped an elderly woman locate the powdered milk in the grocery aisle after watching her walk up and down several times.  I placed a basket of granola bars and packaged crackers on our front porch with a note for delivery people, who work long hours this time of year, to help themselves.  While walking my dog, I picked up my neighbor's trash can that had blown over and put the spilled rubbish back inside.

None of this took much time or money, but I would like to think it helped make someone's day better, and the world just a bit kinder. And I am happy to report I was able to reach my goal of one small kindness per day. And I hope to continue it long past this Christmas season.

In a world where it seems like anger and bitterness rule, a kind word or small deed can make a difference. In the words of St. Francis and his Prayer of Peace, where there is hatred, sow love.  Where there is sadness, joy.  Where there is darkness, light.

May love, joy, and light also find you this holiday season.  Merry Christmas.