During Advent, we have a special opportunity to extend the generous spirit of Christ with those around us.
Oftentimes as Christmas approaches, the world can become filled with stress and anxiety because of its preoccupation with shopping and cooking and planning and traveling and… well, you get it.
As Christians, we have a chance to bring the peace of Advent into the world, through small acts of charity and kindness towards our neighbors. It can be easy to show love for our family and friends, but sometimes more difficult with strangers.
Here are a few ways you can extend generosity to your neighbors this Advent. Pick one or two that you’d like to commit to this season!
- Pay for someone’s morning coffee
- Reach out to someone new at church
- Give a thoughtful compliment to a stranger
- Make an extra donation to your church’s collection
- Invite a neighbor to attend church with you and your family
- Offer to help your neighbor put up their Christmas decorations
- Make care packages that you can pass out to the homeless and needy
- Make a plate of cookies and deliver them to one of your neighbors
- Go shopping for food and clothes that you can drop off at your local church, food bank, or shelter
“For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
How has a neighbor been generous to you? Who is the person the Lord is calling you to reach out to? How can you share your faith through love with those around you?