As the song claims, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” Children would attribute that to receiving gifts. And truly, that Christmas morning unwrapping is a picture of generosity because parents freely give to their offspring purely for the joy of seeing those faces light up with glee. Living on the edge of western North Carolina, which was ravaged by floodwaters from a recent hurricane, I have seen faces light up with joy because of the faithful generosity of neighbors helping neighbors selflessly and bountifully. Current testimonials and upcoming Christmas traditions engender excitement to furnish my mind with ideas for my own generous giving as I gear up to enter the new year.
Like those offering their skidsteers, ATVs, and construction know-how in the Appalachian Mountains, I want to think of ways I can use my skills and resources to openhandedly help others. The elderly woman at my church who lives alone and steps gingerly with the aid of her walker needs help with seasonal yard cleanup. I love to bake, and my neighbor who lives alone is always so thankful when I send over a home-cooked meal or treat. With my IEW training, I could offer to grade end-of-semester papers for a fellow mom as she has several little ones around her ankles and I only have one left in high school. Using our blog post “Unit 5: Writing from a Christmas Picture,” I could encourage students in my co-op to look for ways individuals in the picture are using their skills to show generosity, hoping to inspire them to do the same.
Coming out of a month focused on giving thanks, may we remember the value of generous words. At IEW we are appreciative when customers are unsparing with their kind words, sharing how our materials have encouraged their families. Possibly your family takes time each Christmas to recall memories and childhood legends of each member around the tree. Do you not love to hear the laughter your early antics bring to the gathering? Keep that in mind as you enter this holiday season. Think of a meaningful word you can share with each member of your family before the year comes to a close. Lavish your loved ones with life-giving exaltations, crafted to lift their spirits, praise their efforts, and assure them that they are seen and valued. For some of us, this will be a real effort as we tend to keep our thoughts close to our vest. Yet, the themes of Christmas beg for us to reciprocate with unstinting generosity.
Of course, grandparents and parents alike are delighted when their adult children and grandchildren freely give of their time: making room in their schedule for early shopping trips, an annual performance of The Nutcracker, and holiday gatherings. Let us be generous with our time! Create memories of new antics that will dance in your grandparents’ minds and hearts all throughout the year. Time is key when you want to make room for generosity. We must sit and ruminate on how we can take advantage of opportunities to share our skills and resources with a neighbor or our community. We must quiet our mind in order to ponder how others have enriched our lives and then write them that card. Let us not selfishly hoard our time but magnanimously give it away in very specific, strategically planned ways this month.
While our skills, our words, and our time are not typically gifts we meticulously wrap and place under the tree for others, they will foster looks of wonder when opened. When the truck load of winter coats and hoodies arrives in small mountain towns in the coming weeks, my church family will feel warm too as they note the joy on the faces of their neighbors who have been struggling to fight the cold in temporary tents. My dear friend who has received hopeful blood work after finishing her first rounds of chemo delighted in my son’s words of thankfulness that she was able to share a testimony of God’s goodness with her church family. May you and I take the time to be generous in our giving of the tangible and intangible in this coming season and the new year. Set your mind to it!
by Katie Eades
* IEW is joining in the spirit of generosity with our upcoming Twelve Days of Christmas Giving where we will share gifts from December 26 through January 6!
