I love the Christmas season! I often look for new ways to serve the Lord and others during this time.
Two Christmases ago, I had an idea for an activity. I spent a fair bit of time going to different stores looking for colorful envelopes and paper. I finally found what I wanted and chose the favorite color of each person who would be at our Christmas party. When it was time to share gifts, I gave an envelope and a piece of paper to each person. I suggested that on one side of the paper we could write a list of the things that fill our hearts with gratitude, and on the other side we could write our goals and dreams for the coming year. It was a rewarding experience! We each saved our envelope.
The following Christmas I celebrated with these dear friends again, who have been by my side for many years and through many challenging circumstances. We planned the menu, shared the expenses, and had a marvelous time. During our time together, we pulled out the envelopes we’d saved, and shared what we had written the year before—what we were thankful for and our dreams and goals for the new year—and how many of them had become reality.
A few months later a friend and I were having a meal together, and with a glow in her eyes she recounted how faithful the Lord is. It had been a year of many changes for her, including loved ones moving away and a grandchild being born. She said she felt so grateful for the little colored envelope she had kept, because she had never before prepared a written record of God’s blessings. It helped her see how much she had enjoyed God’s love, protection, and provision, as well as good health, good communication with her son who lives overseas, and much more.
I was grateful to see that this simple idea had an impact. How lovely are gifts from the heart! Those little envelopes held treasures because they enabled us to remember the Lord’s abundant blessings.
This Christmas season I am praying for the Lord to give me another idea. It may require a little time, imagination, and love, but it will be worth it!