The True Meaning of Christmas

Okay guys, I've had it with this materialist nonsense. Let's talk service. The rule is you have to leave an anonymous comment saying either some service you've done for somebody this month or service you've received. I'm not kidding about the anonymous part - no links to your webpage, no "Rhymes with Beara Hake," no spelling your name in the bionic code. Anonymous. I'll delete your comment if I can figure out who you are.

Let's hear it:

Comments

Anonymous said…
I scrapped the ice and seven inches of snow off of four cars; I am fortunate enough to have an undercover parking spot.

That same day I found a girl trudging through the seven inches of snow before the sidewalks had been cleaned. She was wearing no jacket, a short skirt, and open-toed shoes. Ouch! Apparently she was visiting from Hawaii and hadn't planned on cold weather. I gave her a ride to where she was going.

Neither of the situations were really "because I'm a great serviceful person," but more based on "gee, if I were in that position I'd really like someone to do that."

Service received? My RS VT coordinator and supervisors did an EXCELLENT job gathering info off of the spy network so that I can compile the stats before I and everyone else skip town for the holidays.

Another great service received was someone left me a note and a few things of microwaveable soup on my desk @ school. It was so nice to have a warm lunch!
Anonymous said…
We had some carolers come to our house with goodies and it was an unexpected pick-me-up from the frantic pace of December.

Also I wrote some long Christmas letters to a few of the older, less active women I know around here who I thought could use a smile.
Anonymous said…
I make toffee and give it to all of our neigbors. There is an elderly puertorican man who lives 3 floors down who was thrilled with it, I don't think he'd ever had toffee before. I also gave one to the guy that comes monthly to our place to spray for bugs. He was pretty excited too.
This is nothing compared to the woman I Visit Teach. She is amazing. Every morning she leaves a bag of food hanging outside the dumpster for the homeless man who lives in it. They know each other by name and it's just something she does. She also takes food to the battered woman who lives next to her. This is just a sampling of her deeds...I wish I was more like her.
Anonymous said…
i'm coordinating gift giving to the families in our ward that really wouldn't have a christmas without it. it is fun to figure out what each of the children in the homes might like, and making sure that they have something special on christmas day.
Anonymous said…
I did two small things.

I made a small donation via donorschoose.org to an inner city Houston elementary school so that their third through fifth grades could have hands-on science labs (owl pellet dissection, ball-and-stick chemistry toys, etc.) Plugs are a no-no, I know, but I have to plug the HECK out of donorschoose.org. Teachers from across the country write up proposals for improved teaching programs and you can choose to fund part or ALL of the project. The best part is, even donations as small as $10 can make a difference, and you PERSONALLY get to choose what gets your money. It's like altruistic crack, that site.

I also bought a Christmas present for a 10 year old local kid who's parent is being treated for HIV/AIDS through our local AIDS charity Positive Link.
Anonymous said…
we provided christmas for a single mom with two kids in our ward. tree, ornaments, lights, gifts, all inclusive.
Anonymous said…
helped with sub for santa

am doing 12 days of Christmas for a family dealing with a disaster

planned a last-minute party during a very busy time for someone who needed one

am generally trying to be nice and positive and encouraging and give out plenty of hugs
Anonymous said…
This very day I went about delivering homemade pomegranate jelly to unsuspecting people in my 'hood. The jars have some sticky spots on the outside, though, showing that I skipped the water bath step in the jelly making process. Does that negate the blessing of service? Does it? All they have to do is eat it right away...
Anonymous said…
this one dude pretty much hated me--but he loved christmas music. so one christmas i secretly gave him a cd of jazzed up christmas tunes. it made me like him more to have extended myself like that for him. i bet he still hates me though!
Anonymous said…
am taking in a literal stranger for what i thought would be 2 months and is more likely going to be 18 months...doing this with a huge happy face and asolutely no money on their part.

taking time to visit every elderly lady in my church, giving each a small token gift.

"rescued" a homeless man at a nearby parking lot.

made sure to give gifts to three woman who I KNOW don't care for me much... just because i want them to feel loved.

secretly dropped off grocery store gift cards to those already on church assistace -sometimes you just need to but real oreos and a soda and not feel guilty.
Anonymous said…
I spent the morning working at the food pantry.

It was the neatest neatest experience.

I am so glad I did it.
Anonymous said…
I helped dig cars out of the snow. I am not a strong person. My muscles are a wee bit sore. But it was a good experience.
Anonymous said…
I've been collecting a lot of stuff to sell over the past year but today decided to just give it away for free on Craigslist. It was some really nice stuff - electronics, toys, furniture - and I got to sit at home all afternoon while people from my city came by to get it. It was really fun to see how appreciative they were and feel some good Christmas karma!
Anonymous said…
we bought a homeless/hitch-hiker guy dinner on our travel home for Christmas. We also gave him money when we left.
Anonymous said…
Does it count if you wanted to do it but your spouse told you he'd do it instead? There's an elderly woman down the street who was trying to sweep the snow from her driveway with a broom while holding onto her walker. I told DH to stop the car so I could help her but he told me to keep an eye on the kids and stay put. Then he did it for me/her.
Sarah said…
Hey, if the whole "it's the thought that counts" thing isn't true we're all screwed. I say you get the points!

Popular Posts