We are often asked how to keep Christ the focus of this holiday. Some people ask because they’re trying to figure out what this whole “Christ thing†is about, anemia others are looking to connect with their neighbors and many others are looking for opportunities to bless others with the resources they’ve been given.
Thanks to our Keep Christ in Christmas efforts, diet we are blessed to hear so many ways that God is working in our communities. Here are 14 simple  ways to let Christ shine through you this Christmas and reach your neighbors:
- Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Take the first step: Drop off some treats with a note. Knock on the door and simply yourself or say hi.
- Spend 20 minutes with an elderly neighbor. The best gift you can give to many is simply your time and friendship.
- Shovel a neighbor’s driveway. Don’t offer to, jump in and get started.
- Bring their trash cans up from the street after the garbage truck has run…make sure it’s after, as we’ve heard some funny stories.
- Offer to help with a project. Ask specifically what you can help them with before the first of the year, and then, follow up and help out.
- Take flowers to a resident at your local nursing home who may not get many visitors. Tip from Scott Whenrey, Activity Director in a nursing home: “Call your Local Nursing Home Activity Director and they can help lead you to someone who may have no one to visit them.â€
- Take a plate of dinner to the cashier who is working the evening shift at the gas station you frequent.
- Look for opportunities to help. See a neighbor carrying their groceries, shoveling their walk, raking leaves? Jump in and help.
- Offer to watch your neighbor’s dog/cat when they’re on vacation. It’s amazing how much this freedom can help someone feel they can take a little time off.
- If you know a neighbor is going through a difficult time, take them a meal. A simple meal is fine.
- Invite a family from the neighborhood over for dinner. Pick a specific night or two and ask today.
- Have a birthday party for Jesus. Invite a few friends, especially your kids’ friends for a small birthday party Christmas day. Read the story of Christ’s birth. Luke 1:5-56; Luke 2:1-20; Isaiah 9:6-7; Romans 15:3
- Give a surprise gift of service to each member of your family
- Attend a Christmas church service together with your family or neighbor. You may have your own home church, but this is a great time to connect with friends and family where they feel most comfortable. Plus, we’re all part of His church. Ask if you can attend Christmas service with them.
Keeping Christ in Christmas and our daily lives means being good stewards of the resources and time He has blessed us with. These are a few of our favorite ways that we hear people taking the next step at Christmas. We are saved not saved by our works, but we work and serve because we are saved.
Do you have other suggestions? Have you done any of these? Please let us know in the comments below. We’re always looking for great stories of how God is using you in your communities and ideas for sharing with others.
Special thanks to the thousands members our community and those that submitted ideas for this article. God has placed each of us in our unique place for a unique purpose. It’s awesome to see each of you and what God is doing through you.
Kurt Uhlir
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Tags: Christmas, Keep Christ in Christmas, Neighbors, Suggestions
I’m a little late to the game as it is past Christmas, but I just wanted to say thank you for this list. The season of Christ, as is often discussed by believers, is generally overlooked in society as a module for consumption – spend, buy, plan, cook, eat, celebrate, etc. We forget that we’re celebrating the birth of Salvation!
I love how the focus of this post is about the neighbor – spending time with, loving and and including neighbors, not just friends and family, in your life. What a great medium for spreading the love of Christ!
I’m deeply looking forward to your next post!
Best,
Susan A. Perkins