Last year when I heard about #LIGHTtheWORLD I was so excited to serve others, but then I then rolled my ankle really bad the Monday before Thanksgiving. It almost broke! I was unable to do anything, I felt completely useless as I laid on the sofa I was frustrated, I wanted to serve others, I wanted to help light the world! Yet here I was completely helpless.
That is when it hit me, I was being served by my family, from the meals to the car rides, to my sister letting me borrow crutches they were serving me in my need. Everyone has a need, finding and filling that need is true service. I realized even with a bad ankle I could play with my nieces and nephew.
We are not commanded to clothe the hungry or liberate the naked, we are to serve others in their need. To feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and liberate the captive. Our service can be as simple as saying hello to someone or as complex as organizing a clothing drive to help refugees, everyone has a need and a way to serve others this Christmas. I love this quote from Gandalf in J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic The Lord of the Rings. “it is the small things everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love.” – Gandalf
Baton Rouge, September 3rd. 2016.
So this Christmas rather than saying “If there is anything I can do, let me know.” Look for something to do, and then fulfill the need. If you need some ideas here are 25 simple ways to serve others and #LIGHTtheWORLD this Christmas
1. Forgive someone who has wronged you.
2. Pay a heartfelt compliment to someone.
3. Make a meal for someone who is sick.
4. Invite someone who is alone to join you in your Christmas festivities.
5. Clean out your wardrobe and donate clothes you don’t use anymore to DI or Goodwill.
6. Put down the phone and talk with the people you interact with. (Like a cashier at the store)
7. Visit someone who is elderly in your neighborhood and spend a few minutes getting to know them. Who know’s but you might ‘find’ a new grandparent!
8. Take time to play with a child.
9. Plan a service project, a great resource is JustServe.Org
10. Call an old friend to reassure them of your love.
11. Visit a nursing home and sign up to volunteer.
12. Make cookies and deliver them to someone in your neighborhood.
13. Invite a family over to your house for dinner.
14. Pay for the car behind you at the drive-thru window.
15. Help local refugees feel included in your community, visit IWasAStranger.lds.org for more ideas.
16. Shovel someone’s walkway this Christmas.
17. Give blood to help save a life. See RedCrossBlood.org for more information.
18. Donate canned goods to a local food bank.
19. Offer to babysit for a couple with small kids to give them a date night.
20. Look into becoming a foster family or adopting. For more info see ProvidentLiving.lds.org
21. Go to your friend’s church services with them, invite them to also go to yours to foster greater understanding.
22. Post only uplifting things on social media.
23. Seek to repair any strained relationships.
24. Give someone a hug.
25. Pray and repent of your sins. What greater gift can we give Christ than repenting and following Him?
PS a secret you can do these activities anytime not just during December.
For more ways to serve and to #LightTheWorld see Mormon.org
