There are no longer little ones at our house for Christmas. My daughter has two children.  One of them was married in May.  The other one graduates from high school this year. My son has two children.  One just graduated from college and the other is still in college.

I miss all of the excitement of their coming with little ones that are enchanted by the tree, the other decorations, and the anticipation of Santa and all the gifts he’ll bring. Now, we can hardly get them to put their phones down long enough to open gifts.

Because the children are older, we have had to find another way to bring about that excitement. We have found it in gifting, but not in the way you might think. There are always requests for money or toys for children that might not have the joy of opening gifts, and we often participate in those opportunities. What we really like to do is find someone we know that has a need, do something for them (preferably without their knowledge), and watch their excitement. The most wonderful part of this is that they can’t repay you. That’s what I love the most.

We learned a valuable lesson when we started doing this. It’s fun to do it all year. There is so much hurt, sadness, and need in this world. Right now, there is a sweet lady who has just returned from the hospital after a stay due to a car accident. She lives alone and needs a variety of things from her Christian friends. There is another lady who is bedridden, and she is currently in the hospital. She has had surgery, and we do not know when she will be able to return home. Christmas time is a hard time to be alone, to be hurt, to be sick, or to be in need.

I have friends that took their Thanksgiving to go on a mission trip, Another family sent money to a missionary who is struggling just to keep their home and provide food for the family. Another family gave money to buy Christmas gifts for a needy child when the expected donations did not come in. Those are just a few of the ones I know about. It can truly be said that the joy of this Christmas season is in the giving not the getting.

It’s not too late. You can do it anytime. As a family or individual, find a need and fulfill it. The one you help will be blessed, but you will be blessed even more.

Sandra Oliver