As Jackson Brown’s son was packing to leave for his freshman year of college, he began “to jot down a few observations and words of counsel I thought he might find useful.” What might take a few hours ended up taking several days to compile. Brown stated, “I read years ago that it is not the responsibility of parents to pave the road for their children, but to provide a road map.” That was his desire as he prepared the fatherly advice for Adam. When the list was complete, the typed advice was put in a binder and slid under the front seat of the car. After Adam moved into the dorm, Jackson went back to the car, retrieved the book, and presented it to his son. He explained that it was what he knew about living a rewarding and happy life. A few days after Adam received the book, he called home. “Dad, I’ve been reading the instruction book and I think it’s one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. I’m going to add to it and someday give it to my son.”
In 1991, the list was published as Life’s Little Instruction Book: 511 Reminders for a Happy and Rewarding Life. We were introduced to the book, right before Thanksgiving, when Brad and Chad were in 4th grade and Scott was in 8th grade. In preparation for the holidays, we read through the book to get ideas of things we could intentionally do during the Christmas Season. On the way for Thanksgiving dinner with family, we practiced our first deed. Larry drove through the toll line to pay cash, so he could pay for the next car in line. The boys wanted him to drive away quickly so the people would not see who had paid for them. We decided to try to do as many of the suggestions as we could during the holidays. There were times when the recipient knew of the act of kindness and other times when it was done anonymously.
Brown compiled lists for two more volumes of Life’s Little Instruction Book, as well as The Little Book of Christmas Joys, 432 things to do for yourself and others that just might make this the best Christmas ever.
A few Christmas ideas:
Be nice to sales personnel. They’re often wearier than you are.
Take a basket of goodies to your local fire and police stations.
Before going to bed every night of the Christmas season, ask yourself, “Whose life did I make brighter today?”
Tip someone who doesn’t expect it.
Remember that the best solution for holiday blues is to do something for someone else.
Offer to run Christmas errands for an elderly friend or relative.
If you enjoy cooking, bake double batches of Christmas goodies for your friends who might be too busy to cook.
Invite a friend who doesn’t have a church home to a special service at your church.
Compliment at least three people every day in December. This is a gift that is always appreciated.
Teach children to look at the gift tag before they open the present so they will know whom to thank.
Be a generous giver.
Be a gracious receiver.
Make it a daily practice during the holiday season to do something nice for someone without telling them you did it.
Give someone who’s discouraged the gift of encouragement.
Make your family feel just as important as your holiday company.
Let someone else have the parking space you just found. Think of it as a gift to a stranger.
Remember that the loving holiday spirit in your home depends more on the words you speak than on the gifts you give.
Secretly shovel the snow off your neighbor’s front porch.
If you take a trip during the holidays, offer to trade seats so a family can sit together.
When you see a family or group taking holiday pictures of each other, offer to take one of the whole group.
Ask children, “What are you giving for Christmas?” instead of “What are you getting for Christmas?”
Discover the quiet satisfaction of anonymous giving.
Feed someone’s expired parking meter.
Take children with you when you make a cash donation to a homeless shelter or charity, and let them experience the joy of giving.
Remember that peace on earth starts with peace in our homes and in our hearts.
Pray that God will help you see opportunities to be a blessing to others this Christmas.
Don’t forget whose birthday we are celebrating.
Whether it’s an idea from a book, a spur of the moment opportunity, or a planned event, be open to sharing and blessing others during this holiday season. And then let it spill over for all year long.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Ephesians 2:16-17
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
1 Timothy 6:18
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:13
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