Dec. 7, 2015

Advent Calendar

Acts 20:35

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Growing up, we always had an Advent Calendar. It was made out of paper. Every day of December, you opened up the little paper tab with the day’s date printed on it. Underneath would be a picture related to Christmas.

Today, I saw this suggestion for an Advent Calendar on the internet. While I’m bummed that I didn’t come up with the idea, I think it’s a great one! It’s a great idea for the entire family to become involved. I think it’s important for families to embrace the idea that it truly is more blessed to give than receive. Here is a fun way to explore this!

Can your family do this between now and Christmas? Add a couple fun challenges. These are a few ideas. Come up with your own.

• Only add things your family currently uses. This means not to include things nobody in your house would use.
• Use only things found in your house. See how creative you can be!
• Or, go shopping and let each person choose a certain number of items.
• Every day, someone different in your family gets to make today’s “pick.” Rotate as necessary through your family.
• Remember things like toilet paper, tooth brushes, tooth paste, paper towels, etc.
• Around Christmas Eve, items can be donated to the Food Pantry, Salvation Army, etc. Another option would be for your family to personally deliver the basket to a family that would benefit from your giving.

I love the idea of an old tradition with a new twist. I’m going to stop typing and go find a box. There are many around our house, finally empty!

Lord God – in this season of which we often focus on receiving, may we creatively find ways to bless others through giving this Advent. Amen.

Blessings  –

Dianne

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