Text: Philippians 2:3a; Don’t be selfish; (NLT)
As a Christian parent you always strive to bring your children in the way of the Lord. And one of the things the Holy-Spirit put in my mind is that Christmas season is becoming a time where many children are only concerned about Santa getting them what they want. My children have given me a list of all they wanted from us and Santa at the beginning of December and when I looked at their very expensive list, the Holy-Spirit just dropped in my mind that their list should include things that are selfless too for the Christmas season. We need to pass the message to them from an early age that as believers in Christ, Christmas is also a time to be selfless. Teaching & encouraging our children to be selfless people will help them recognize the needs and feelings of others and to show kindness in their actions. A quote by Neff 2003, “selfless person can be described as: Generous Kind Patient Respectful”. And these are the virtues through the help of the Holy-Spirit we want to build in our children.
Below are some things we can use as a template to encourage our children to display selflessness during this Christmas season
- Donate toys to charity: Encourage your child to donate toys they no longer use to a local charity or shelter. This will help bring joy to other children who may not have the same privileges as your child
- Let someone go ahead of you in queue: Teach your child the importance of patience and kindness by letting someone go ahead of them in queue.
- Make a sweet treat or an art-work for your Children’s Church teacher and School teacher: Encourage your child to make a sweet treat or an art-work for their Sunday School teacher and School teacher to show appreciation for their hard work throughout the year.
- Do a chore for someone: Help a family member with a chore they have been putting off. This will help your child learn the importance of teamwork and helping others.
- Do yard work for a neighbour: Help an elderly neighbour with yard/garden work for example. This will help your child learn the importance of community service and helping others
- Make care packages for the homeless: Children can make care packages for the homeless that include items such as socks, gloves, hats, and snacks. They can then distribute these packages to those in need.
- Write letters to the elderly: Children can write letters to the elderly who may be feeling lonely during the holiday season. This can be a great way to spread some cheer and brighten someone’s day.
- Perform random acts of kindness: Encourage children to perform random acts of kindness such as holding the door open for someone, helping a neighbour with their groceries, or shovelling snow for someone who may not be able to do it themselves.
- Write a letter to daddy and mummy to show gratitude: Writing a letter to thanks daddy and mummy for all they do for them in the year is teaching them the importance of gratitude and showing appreciation.
- Teach them to give God thanksgiving: I know that some parents still love to make their young children believe that Santa gets them presents on Christmas eve, and I have nothing against it, I still do it. But I remind my young children to thank God Almighty who is provider of everything, including all the gifts that Santa and mummy & daddy gives them. That there can be no Santa without Jesus Christ our Lord.
Useful Resource: Resource: 25 Ideas for Random Acts of Christmas Kindness for Kids | Kids Activities Blog
Altar call: For anyone reading this article who is not saved and wants to be part of the family of God or you want to re-dedicate your life back to Jesus, please repeat this out loud. “Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I have sinned against you. Lord Jesus forgive me of my sins. I repent of my sins. Lord Jesus come into my life and be my Lord now and forever in Jesus Name“
Prayer: Father Lord help our children to imbibe the virtues of being generous, kind, respectful and patient, in Jesus Name
