Doing small acts of charity in preparing for Christmas can keep families mindful as the beautiful celebration of Christmas approaches.
A Twist on the Advent Calendar
Simply gather the family together around a December calendar and determine a specific task to be performed each day over a two- week period in December. Decide on an act or activity that will help bring the Love of Christ into the world. These acts should be varied in time and financial commitment to keep this activity manageable. Choices could include:
- Take cookies to a neighbor (bake together, make an accompanying card...)
- Smile and say "Hi" to someone new in the grocery store, at school, etc.
- Color a picture for a friend
- Don't complain all day
- Compliment someone
- Make smiley-faces with a nice note and secretly hide them for others to find
- Give your dog or cat extra special attention with scratches, treats or walks
- Sweep a neighbor's driveway
- Donate a toy to a Christmas drive
When all fourteen choices are made, write them on the days of the calendar and post in a common place. Each morning, family members check the calendar and make a commitment to the particular act of charity. At the end of the day or around the Advent Wreath, all can tell the stories of how the act was accomplished. Parents can then make the connection about how the world changed for the better that day because of these acts.
Christmas Ornaments as Symbols of Good Works
As a part of any activity such as this, it is always beneficial to create a symbol of the good works for the family to see. In this case, Christmas ornaments can be used to represent each act of charity and hung on the tree at each day's end or whenever the tree is decorated. Craft stores such as Michael's carry clear glass ornaments that can be decorated or simply written on with colorful permanent markers indicating the act of charity. Other hand-made ornaments can also be made in any fashion.
For particularly busy parents, the charity works can be written on ribbon and tied in a bow on to candy canes. These make beautiful additions to any tree. At the end of the two weeks, the Christmas tree is sprinkled lights, sparkle and a reminder of the family's participation in bringing Christ's love to the World.
This activity does not have to be limited to two-weeks but it is often wise to keep it condensed to a manageable amount of time because, in reality, families (especially parents) are very busy in the days leading up to Christmas. This Advent Calendar activity becomes a piece of the family's preparation and, when kept short, is one that can be done successfully and add meaning to the Advent season. The activity can also be brought out during Lent or any time the family needs a dose of good works!
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