As the holiday season approaches, materialism can creep into our traditions and distract us from generosity. To help you combat the hype that pervades this time of year, here are 10 ways you can choose to infuse the next few weeks with small, quiet acts of humble generosity inspired by the humility of Jesus.
“Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God…made himself nothing…being made in human likeness…he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
– Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)
- Practice listening more than you talk – At your next event, meeting, or family outing, practice intentional listening as a form of love. See what happens when you put away your phone, limit distractions, and listen patiently without the need to respond.
- Try trading places – What would it look like to trade places for a day with your spouse, a friend with a disability, or the lowest-paid employee at your company? Ask the Lord for opportunities to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.
- Ask for help – It’s not easy for generous people to ask for help, but sometimes humility means accepting your own limitations. Pray for the courage to let go of the pride of self-sufficiency this season and to be open to receiving.
- Admit you were wrong – Ouch! One of the humblest, and sometimes hardest, things to do is admit when you’re wrong. But now is a great time to clear the air with a family member, friend, or coworker, and start the new year with a clean slate.
- Speak their language – Use extra time with family to research other cultures, exchange students, or refugee groups near you, and learn a few simple words in their language. Then, find a volunteer opportunity to use your new phrases.
- Relinquish control – A subtle addiction to busyness, productivity, and achievement pervades our culture. Pray for ways to let go of work, endless activity (even if it’s service-related), and the adrenaline of accomplishments.
- Sacrifice your schedule – If nothing is more sacred than your schedule or holiday traditions, it might be time to open your heart to opportunities for divine interruption. Start your day by sacrificing your rigid routine for God’s direction.
- Be close to the brokenhearted – For some, the holidays only add to existing heartbreak. Think about how you can serve the elderly, widows, single parents, the hospitalized, foster kids, the homeless, prisoners, and others who are hurting.
- Choose gratitude with the paper chain challenge – Next time you gather, divide into groups and ask everyone to write something they’re grateful for on strips of construction paper. Link them together, see who creates the longest chain, and use your creations to decorate for Christmas.
- Plan a secret gift – Call a local school and pay off a child’s lunch fees or leave a gift card in a neighbor’s mailbox. Or ask your benevolence pastor, a local ministry, or school to help you give anonymously to those in need.
For a reflective lesson on the profound humility of Jesus’ birth, explore our Christmas 2023 devotional, “St. Francis and the humble nativity.”
