SERVING THE LEAST OF THESE
by penelope carlevato
WWW.PENELOPECARLEVATO.COM
family because of incarceration, or those temporarily living in a Ronald McDonald House with a terminally ill child. Maybe, like our family, you had the unpleasant task of moving a family member to an assisted living facility or a memory care unit. All of these situations translate into being “homeless” in different ways for the holidays. As we reach out to others with our time and love, I pray one of the following ideas might spark a new tradition which includes bringing some Christmas joy to the homeless.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND DECORATIONS — EVERY YEAR THEY JUST SEEM TO APPEAR IN THE STORES EARLIER THAN THE YEAR BEFORE. However, I began
the holiday season not to be controlled by the commercialism that surrounds our nation and do something a bit different — to focus on being the hands and feet of Jesus to the growing number of people whose only Christmas plans are survival.
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” Proverbs 19:17, ESV The homeless aren’t just those living on the streets or in their cars. It includes those who are not “home” during the holiday season — men and women serving in the military, those away from
30. leadinghearts.com
1. Christmas morning as a family or small group, distribute warm Breakfast Burritos and coffee to the homeless. A good idea to also bring coats and blankets to give away. 2. Adopt a family through a church program, police department or business offering a Christmas tree with names of families who need help. 3. For children of inmates, create a “Gift Store” at your church where the child can shop and buy presents for their families. 4. Go to a nursing home and give small gift packages of tissues, lotion, soaps to those who have no family or family close by. 5. Serve meals at a local homeless shelter and be involved in the decorating the facility and then visiting with the homeless. 6. Cook meals for families living at a Ronald McDonald House. As they are away from home, home-cooked meals are valued. 7. Wrap individual gift packets of small tolietries, socks, scarves, hats and a flashlight to
