Lasting Gifts of the Season

How are your Christmas preparations coming?   I hope they are well on their way and all you are doing is designed to remember the Savior's birth and life, putting His Spirit into the season.  As we think of our family and loved ones, and our gifts to them, I hope we will also think of those who may not have family to share the holiday, those who might be suffering from a loss, or who are in need in some other way.

As I have read posts from Facebook friends, I've come across several ideas for sharing the holiday.  Here are a few:   My cousin, Lois, in Rhode Island, wrote:   
I started doing (Christmas cards for soldiers) as a Community service project through the Grange- an organization I belong to. They did it for 2 years and then took up another project.. I really liked this idea and after seeing so many of our young soldiers returning home from the war missing arms and legs, blind, etc. I decided it was something I wanted to keep doing..The address I have is : Holiday Mail For Heroes P.O.Box 5456 Capitol Heights, Md. 20791_5456. They like them as early in December as possible so they can check them. I guess they've found traces of powder and other things that could hurt the Soldiers.

Sheila, a friend in Montana gave this suggestion:  I...send magazines called Guidepost and Angels, and craft kits to wound warriors.You can go to Guidepost web site and find out about them.  (Check out) paralyzed veterans, in Wilton,NH.   They send address labels to people for a $3.00 Donation.   They gave me the place to send money for the craft kits........It's kind of nice I have gotten thank you cards from those who recieved kits.

A Florida friend, Mary Anne, posted this:  sent hubby about town making donations to organizations near and dear to us...prepping the grandkids on how to share and this season...participating in the school food drive and dropped off a few gift certificates for late comers...and it is only the beginning of December...I am sure other projects will move me over the coming days... and as always daily prayers and gathering with like minded friends and family for a Christ driven Christmas.

As we prepare our homes and hearts for this season of giving, we may find there are meaningful gifts that cannot be placed in a box and wrapped in paper.  As I attempt to put away my own feelings of selfishness, I find myself asking the questions:  "What would Christ do?  How would He reach out to others?  What would His perfect eyes see?  What service would His perfect hands perform?"  

Is there a widow down the street who is lonely?  Is there someone I know who is confined to a nursing home?  Is there a caregiver who could use a break to do some holiday shopping?  None of these gifts costs us anything but a bit of our time.  Although they have no price tag, they are priceless acts of service that have a lasting impact.  They are gifts that will be cherished and appreciated, by those who receive them, but also by those who give them, long after the holidays have ended, and right on, into the New Year.

Happy Holidays, and Happy Christmas Preparations!!