It's Beginning to Feel/Look/Sound Like Christmas

 

This is Sandra’s 24th year to participate in BUSY HANDS.  She makes warm mittens out of discarded sweaters, that have holes in them or have shrunk, to be given to those in need.

Churches have programs and concerts, the Advent candle is being lit, messages are shared to remind us of the reason we celebrate the season.

 

People are crocheting and knitting hats and scarves to share with the homeless.

 

In Plainview, Texas, Hale County, 4-H participants are making quilts for veterans.  They are also helping with quilting/sewing projects for businesses in the community.

 

Erica Stidham’s family has a note on the front door thanking the delivery people for their service, especially during this busy holiday season.  The drivers are invited to take a refreshing snack, water, and soft drink from the container on the porch.

 

Chase Fowler is 9-years-old.  Recently he asked his grandmother, Candy Bailey, to help him fill in the form to be in a drawing for a new bicycle.  Candy was elated when she found out Chase’s name had been drawn and he had won the bike.  Chase thought of his 13-year-old friend, Daniel Bridges, who no longer joined he and his friends on bike rides around Munford because his bicycle was broken.  Upon receiving the bicycle, Chase immediately took the bike and gave it to Daniel.  Needless to say, Daniel was surprised and overwhelmed with the gift.  Chase told his grandmother, “I looked out the window yesterday and saw him riding it.  I think he was having fun.”

 

Lindsey Nichley made extra banana bread so she could share with her neighbors.

 

The Lubbock Professional Firefighters Association gave every student at Bean Elementary School a new winter coat.

Students are playing and singing concerts at their schools and churches.  Band, choir, and orchestra teachers are taking their students to retirement centers, malls, elementary schools, and other locations to share the music and joy of Christmas with others.  Not only have the teachers taught the students to play and sing, they are also showing the students the importance of sharing their talents with others and then giving them the opportunity to do so.

Gifts and food are given purposefully and sometimes anonymously.

Families, friends, and co-workers are finding and taking time to get together.

People are looking for opportunities to perform random acts of kindness.

May we, too, be quick to remember and think of others, seek out ways to bless them, and make sure the light of Jesus is shining brightly through us during this Christmas season and beyond.

 

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

 

And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must love their brother and sister.

1 John 4:21