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Ways of Christmas
1 W R ITE A LET TE R OF G R ATITU D E BE T H A N K F U L I N A L L C I RC U M STA NC E S, FOR T H I S I S G OD’S W I L L FOR YOU W HO BE LONG T O C H R I ST J E SUS. 1 T H E S S A L ON I A N S 5:18 N LT
Has someone made a difference in your life? Maybe it’s a teacher who made a difference in your education: a coach who believed in you and inspired you to do your best, a grandparent who raised you, or a family member who loved you unconditionally. Why not tell that person in a letter or card how they have inspired you?
G IVE A H OM E M A D E G IF T TO A N E IG H BOU R YOU H AV E BE E N T R E AT E D GE N E ROUSLY, SO L I V E GE N E ROUSLY M AT T H E W 10:8 M S G
Whether you know your neighbours or not, Christmas is an opportunity to extend a hand and make a connection by giving a small handmade gift like these shortbread.
MACADAMIA CHRISTMAS SHORTBREAD 250g unsalted butter (room temperature)
300g plain flour, sifted
70g macadamia nuts chopped
2½ teaspoons vanilla extract
80g pure icing sugar, sifted
icing sugar, for coating
Preheat oven to 175Ëšc. Line baking trays with baking paper and set aside. Beat butter, icing sugar and vanilla extract on medium speed for 5 minutes until light and fluffy. In another bowl, mix the nuts and flour together. Tip the flour mixture into the butter mixture and stir until they well combined. Drop heaped teaspoonfuls onto the prepared baking trays, leaving space for the biscuits to spread as they cook. Bake for 16-20 minutes (they are ready when light gold). Whilst biscuits cool, prepare a bowl of sifted icing sugar. Drop biscuits into icing sugar to coat whilst still hot and move to a wire rack to cool. Once cool, sift remaining icing sugar on top for a second coating.
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3 LET SOM EON E G O IN FRONT OF YOU HONOU R C H R I ST A N D PU T OT H E R S F I R ST E P H E S I A N S 5: 2 1 DA R BY
Nearly everyday we encounter a situation where we are required to wait. Whether it’s in the car, at school, work or at the shops, why not let someone go in front of you. It might only delay you a few minutes, but you never know the impact that could come from putting others first with a small gesture like this!
PAY TH E B ILL OF A R A N D OM STR A N G E R
SO SE I Z E A N Y OPP ORT U N I T Y T H E LOR D GI V E S YOU T O D O G O OD T H I NGS A N D BE A BL E S SI NG T O E V E RYON E ... G A L AT I A N S 6:10A VOIC E
Celebrate those around you by doing something just to make someone else’s day. Pay the bill for someone at the shops, petrol station, restaurant or cafe. Or maybe leave a gift card in shopping trolley for the next person. It doesn’t have to be costly, just a blessing.
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5 B E A FR IE N D W H O LI STE N S M Y DE A R F R I E N DS, YOU SHOU L D BE QU IC K T O L I ST E N A N D SLOW T O SPE A K . JA M E S 1:1 9 C E V
We live in a very busy and unpredictable world, and many people have no one to talk to about things that are important. If someone you know is going through a tough time, offer to chat over a coffee. Simply connecting and listening will show how much you care.
VI S IT SOM EON E TO S PR E A D SOM E CH E E R
D ON’ T J UST TA L K A B OU T LOV E . PU T YOU R LOV E I N T O AC T ION. T H E N I T W I L L T RU LY BE LOV E . 1 JOH N 3:18 N I V
Showing kindness, love, compassion or care isn’t always grand acts and big gestures. Love can be shown in the smallest of ways. You could grab some friends and sing carols at a local nursing home, or buy a box of chocolate bars and hand them out with a nice note to strangers at a hospital. Visit someone you know who needs some cheer. What can you do to show God’s love today?
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7 MAKE A DONATION TO HELP SOMEONE IN NEED SO GI V E F R E E LY T O T HOSE W HO A R E N E E DY. OPE N YOU R H E A RT S T O T H E M DE U T E RON OM Y 1 5:10 N I V R
ASYLUM SEEKER SUPPORT
Setting up home is very tough for many asylum seekers with limited resources. We want to help in a small way by providing kitchen basics. Buy NEW crockery sets, cutlery sets and pots and pans, and drop off at the weekend collection point in the foyer. SALVO FOOD PANTRY
Christmas is a busy time for emergency food providers like the Salvos. Buy a few extra grocery items and bring to the weekend collection point in the foyer to help us fill their shelves. Buy tinned soups, vegetables, meals, cereals, muesli bars, sweet or savoury biscuits, soups, pastas and rice.
B E G E N E ROU S W ITH YOU R WOR DS
T H E WOR L D OF T H E GE N E ROUS GE T S L A RGE R A N D L A RGE R P ROV E R B S 11: 24A M S G
A simple sincere compliment can brighten someone’s day. Go out of your way today to be encouraging and generous with your words. You could even leave candy canes on car windows in your work car park with a nice note attached.
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9 S H A R E CH R I STM AS DAY W ITH SOM EON E
GE N E ROUS H A N DS A R E BL E S SE D H A N DS BEC AUSE T H E Y GI V E BR E A D T O T H E P O OR P ROV E R B S 2 2:9 M S G
Invite those you know who are alone or disconnected to join you for Christmas Day and you will capture the true meaning of Christmas. MISSION AUSTRALIA PERTH CHRISTMAS LUNCH
Each year on Christmas day over 2000 individuals from across Perth and beyond gather together in Wellington Square to share Christmas Lunch in the Park. Volunteers play an important part in making such a massive event like this possible, and are needed for the lead up and on the big day. Register online to give your time to make Christmas Day a special one for those less fortunate. 1
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christmaslunchinthepark.com.au
INVITE YOU R N E IG H BOU RS OVE R FOR A CH R I STM AS PA RT Y OR B BQ
K E E P OPE N HOUSE: BE GE N E ROUS W I T H YOU R L I V E S. BY OPE N I NG U P T O OT H E R S, YOU’L L PROM P T PEOPL E T O OPE N U P W I T H G OD, T H I S GE N E ROUS FAT H E R I N H E AV E N. M AT T H E W 5:16 M S G
When was the last time you spent time with your neighbour and got to know them a little better? Christmas is a great time to begin to build genuine relationships that allow room for spiritual conversations. Why not invite neighbours, friends and family to the NOËL Christmas Experience on Tuesday 23rd or Wednesday 24th December. Pick up an invitation at one of our weekend services.
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11 G IVE A S M A LL CH R I STM AS G IF T TO TH OS E W H O S E RVE YOU OF TE N E V E RY T I M E YOU C ROSS M Y M I N D, I BR E A K OU T I N E XC L A M AT IONS OF T H A N K S TO G OD. E AC H E XC L A M AT ION I S A T R IG GE R TO PR AY E R . I F I N D M YSE L F PR AY I NG FOR YOU W I T H A GL A D H E A RT P H I L I P P I A N S 1: 3-4 M S G
For all of us there are at least a few people who serve us on a regular basis, who we don’t necessarily acknowledge because they have become so much a part of our everyday routines. It might be a bus driver, or someone who makes your coffee at the cafe, or the supermarket cashier you see each week. Today, let’s purpose to show appreciation and thanks for these people!
FIN D A MOM E NT OF PE ACE W ITH IN TH E CH R I STM AS CH AOS
GLORY T O G OD I N T H E H IGH E ST A N D ON E A RT H PE AC E T O M E N ON W HOM H I S FAVOU R R E ST S. LU K E 2:14. N I V
Life isn’t always peaceful. Some would say it’s never peaceful. Yet, Christmas reminds us of the Prince of Peace who came to reconcile us to God. When we have room for Him, peace reigns even in the midst of our chaos. So today, quiet your mind in the midst of decorating, shopping or your busyness and remember this Saviour and His life that changed the world forever. Be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).
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