Christmas truly is the season for giving. What better way to give than to offer someone a seat at your table?
With all the hustle and bustle during the Christmas season, we have lists of people with whom we need to connect with to give gifts and enjoy the season. But how many of us stop to think about what our neighbors truly need this season? For example, perhaps a neighbor has lost a loved one. Do they have somewhere they can go with family for the holidays? Perhaps a neighbor is housebound due to illness. Could they use someone's tender, loving care?
One of Jesus' greatest commandments is to love your neighbor as yourself. Not only does this mean the people around you but also your physical neighbors. In what ways can you be a blessing to your neighbors this holiday season?
Here are some ways to love your neighbor this Christmas:
Give Cookies
While this is not only a great strategy to deliver a sweet treat to your neighbors, it is also a great way to make a new friendship and introduce yourself to the neighbors who have just moved in. Meanwhile, this is a great peace offering to neighbors with whom you disagree. Purchase cheap holiday tins from the dollar store, get a couple of rolls of cookie dough, and have fun! The cookies don't have to be adorned with fancy Christmas decorations to be special. You don't have to be a pastry chef or pro at icing and sprinkles for these sweet treats to be a success! You can make them from scratch, from a box, or anything in between.
Take a Saturday and go around your neighbors' distributing the tins. If they are not home or do not answer the door, place the tin on their porch with a small note letting them know you have a special gift for them. Include your first name and last name as well as your address so they know who dropped it off. This will help them know you are safe and that it's okay to eat the cookies. Families with children will especially love this treat. Who knows, you may get a special treat on your porch this holiday season for your act of kindness!
Invite Them to Dinner
Your Christmas table may be full this year, but can you make room for one or two more guests? Christmas truly is the season for giving. What better way to give than to offer someone a seat at your table? A meal and a warm home might be a special something to cheer up your neighbors who are going through a rough patch. Just knowing that you invited them may also be a great way for you to break the ice and show a kind and neighborly gesture. You can ask them to bring something to help with the meal, or just invite them with no strings attached. Whatever you choose, know you are spreading the love and kindness of Jesus by inviting someone to your home and offering them a seat at your already-filled table.
Neighbors may feel awkward at first, but they might feel like they are part of your family once they've left. This is especially good when you get a chance to get to know them and ask questions about who they are, their background, etc. These are questions we don't always ask of our neighbors, but it's nice to know that someone cares enough to know about you and your story. Enhance your time together by asking if there's anything they need. Does the neighbor need their driveway shoveled during the harsh winters? Do they need someone to take in the mail and care for their dog while they are on vacation? Do they need your special skills to help with a home or a car repair? Perhaps it's simply some sage advice from a friend. Whatever it is, be a listening ear and an open door for them anytime they need it, not just for the holidays.
Give Them a Christmas Card
Although this may seem trite, it doesn't have to be. Take the time to write a nice sentiment in the card. Let them know all the ways you enjoy having them as a neighbor. Take the time to write down some of the ways you've observed them over the year. Do they take especially good care of the outside of their home? Do they do a great job gardening? Offer them help in the garden (or offer to just be a person to eat the vegetables). Sometimes neighbors are too embarrassed or shy to ask directly. By giving them encouraging words about how they make a great neighbor, they may be more susceptible to asking for help when it's needed, and it can be a great display of Christlike character in you when you are a kind neighbor.
Offer to Help Unload Their Car or Pay for Gifts
Although this suggestion may take a lot more emotional risk, the payoff may be wonderful for your neighbor. The next time you see your neighbor unloading their car, run over and ask if you can be of assistance. If you know of a neighbor who is particularly struggling (a neighbor has lost their job or is struggling to make ends meet), offer to pay for their Christmas gifts this year. People's pride may kick in and they may say no, but just the offer will make you an extra considerate neighbor. Ask the Lord to help you be the hands and feet of Jesus to your neighbor, and he will certainly show you ways in which you can be a blessing.
Commit Random Acts of Kindness
If you know your neighbor wouldn't mind, be a Secret Santa and do some help for them around the house. It may be as simple as fixing a porch light, patching a few roof shingles, or cleaning the gutters. Do you know if they need inside chores done? Surprise him/her one day with a knock at the door. When they answer, tell them you would like to be of help to them in their home. Don't be pushy but do ask more than once even if they say they are sure they do not need help. Sometimes neighbors feel embarrassed to ask for help even if they need it.
In some cases, you can be a Secret Santa and not tell them that you helped them. Pay to have something repaired or groomed if it's needed. Ask to remain anonymous if you can and just know seeing a well-manicured lawn or a fixed roof might be a blessing to your neighbors more than you realize, even if they don't tell you directly.
Sometimes we take neighbors for granted. Because we live in a world where we don't often see our neighbors, it's easy to forget they may be in need this time of year. There may be long periods of time when we don't see our neighbors, but that doesn't mean they don't need our help. Be sure to get their cell phone number or another way to contact them. Check in regularly and see what they need. Even if you can't help them at that moment, be extra kind during the holiday season. With an extra bit of grace and kindness, you can live out Jesus’ commandment to love your neighbors as yourself in small and large areas, in ordinary and extraordinary ways.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Annie Spratt
