Hey all,

Christmas is just 9 days away! When I was a kid, I loved how Christmastime transformed everyone and everything. The season of love, joy and perpetual hope tends to have that effect...or it should. Christmas can be the absolute best or worst time of year for people, and this year I sense it's not the best judging by the environment around me. 

What can we do to warm hearts this season? Here are a few thoughts:
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• Participate in church activities (including services) and bring a friend with you.
• We are all different, yet we are all the same. Befriend someone new. 
• Pay for a person's groceries, coffee, etc.
• Smile and laugh more.
• Listen to Christmas music...warms the heart.
• Recognize that some people are dealing with more than you can imagine...empathy and unconditional love can go a long way. No one likes to be struggling, depressed and/or alone.
• Greet people (yes that includes strangers) with a hearty "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays".
• Thank employees in person for their hard work (and if possible, throw in a bonus and a few extra paid vacation days).
• Volunteer at soup kitchens, food pantries, etc.
• Help a colleague complete a strict deadline. There are countless people who work overtime to make ends meet. Extra help would be a priceless gift. This includes more flexibility from upper management.
• Random acts of kindness. Be creative and have fun with it.
• If someone does something nice for you, pay it forward.
• Be a light in the darkness.
• Help someone across the street. 
• Give a blanket, clothes, a gift card for food, a cup of coffee, etc. to that homeless person you pass by almost every day.
• Make an anonymous financial donation to a family in need of funds just to put food on the table.
• Give an unemployed person a job.
• Throw a festive holiday party to celebrate the season.
• Spend time with your child/children.
• Take your significant other on a romantic date.
• Kiss that "girl" or "boy" under the mistletoe.
• The possibilities are endless...

I hope that wherever you are, whomever you're with and whatever you're doing, that you're enjoying this beautiful season. If you find someone in need of cheer, don't be afraid to reach out. Sure, there's always the possibility that efforts will backfire, but there's always the possibility that you'll bring much needed sunshine to someone's day!

Sending you love and happy hugs!

Jen

Lesson cred: ​Brené Brown

YouTube Video Cred: Mat and Est

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.