1. They won’t remember the gift
Do you remember that your dad gave you bike on Christmas day or do you remember that he taught you how to ride it?
When we show someone kindness or someone shows us kindness, it builds a lasting memory that we often want to bottle up and never forget. They might be focused on gifts right now, but in 10 years they’ll remember the memories you made together. Especially memories made while serving others.
Focus on the memories to be made instead of making sure you get the perfect gift.
2. Santa fades… Jesus remains.
We want their relationship with Jesus to grow more each Christmas. We want the miracle of His birth to be ingrained as an exciting birthday celebration.
Christmas traditions are wonderful, and we definitely don’t want to skimp on the Figgy Pudding, but at the end of it all, we want them to remember Jesus was the center of Christmas.
Let’s do our best to create excitement around Jesus and let everything else take a backseat.
3. Giving in small, simple ways makes huge waves
There are so many opportunities to give each day, but as the hustle and bustle begins, we see less of the opportunities each day and pass by people who may be put in our path for such a moment as this.
The moment the shopping mall cashier tells you that it will be a difficult Christmas because of the loss of her father.. and when you get the opportunity to encourage her her, it will change lives. Including yours.
The gifts we give back this season don’t have to be impressive. They don’t have to make a splash. Small giving makes huge waves in our homes, neighborhoods, and communities.
4. Shift the focus from “What can I get?” to “What can I give?”
What if there was something you could do to tune their hearts to give to others this Christmas? Well there is. The Giving Manger makes it easy and fun to put giving and Jesus back into the season and shift the focus from “What can I get?” to “What can I give?”
And it’s so simple. Read the book as a family to explain the tradition. Then you put the sweet little manger on a table for the whole family to see (make it an easy spot for even the littlest to reach!).
As each member of the family does an act of service for someone - maybe it’s “Put your brothers shoes away” or “Grab a poinsettia, ring the doorbell, and run!” - they add a piece of straw to the manger. You should see the kids get excited about it! They look for ways to serve on their own and end up telling you as parents “Mom, that was so nice, go put straw in the manger!”.
On Christmas Day, Baby Jesus is brought out and you get to watch as they excitedly place him in the manger that’s full of service and love.
We want to raise kids who are intentional about giving, love people, and celebrate the gift of Jesus during Christmas. Grab a Giving Manger today and start the tradition!
5. Shift the wish lists to service lists
You can’t control all that will influence them this season, but you can direct the influence in your own home and encourage giving in your home, neighborhood, and community. Be their guide and give them ideas regularly of how they might service each other.
Here’s a few of our favorite ideas:
- Clean up a mess you didn’t make
- Grab a poinsettia, ring the doorbell, and run!
- Mail a letter to someone telling them your favorite memory with them
- When you celebrate small acts of service it changes the attitude of everyone around. Don’t be surprised if it ends up being your favorite highlights from the holiday season.
