I keep wanting to do lots of fun and real-meaning-of-Christmas-y things, but haven’t been able to lock myself into any kind of formal plan.  I found this in my archives from last year and I want to try it gain.  You’re all invited to participate.

So here’s the basic idea: Random acts of kindness every day for the Twelve Days of Christmas. It can be anything. (Hence, “random.”)

Here are a few ideas I threw around in my head: mailing a Christmas package to someone, paying for the next person’s order in the drive-thru window or swiping my card to pay for a particular someone’s purchase behind me in the checkout line at the grocery store, write a letter or make a phone call to someone who might need it, show up at another tired mom’s house and help her fold laundry or wrap presents, drop off goodies at the house of a grumpy or lonely neighbor, . . . You get the idea. No need to spend– just look for an opportunity for kindness and jump on it, whether for a loved one or a stranger.

So I’m going to start on December 13th (this coming Monday) and spread some Christmas kindness every day through Christmas Eve. And I’ll involve my children as much as possible– coming up with ideas, or making something together, or delivering or whatever– so that we can feel the spirit of it as a family. Anybody want to join me in the challenge?

Here’s a button if you want one. You can blog about it and invite others, or put it on your sidebar as a reminder, or do whatever works for you.

html code for the button:
<a href=”http://wp.me/ppuBj-Sq” _mce_href=”http://wp.me/ppuBj-Sq”><img class=”aligncenter size-full wp-image-1963″ title=”christmas challenge button” src=”https://diapersanddivinity.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/christmas-challenge-button.jpg” _mce_src=”https://diapersanddivinity.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/christmas-challenge-button.jpg” alt=”” width=”195″ height=”130″ /></a>

This post right here can be the gathering place for sharing the joy. Come back and report each day what you did, if you want to, or if you have a great story to share. (I’ll keep a link on my sidebar here for easy access.) And unless you’re in it for the glory, comment your “reports” anonymously or with initials or a pseudonym or something. I just think it would be fun to hear about each other’s experiences and rejoice (anonymously) in the whole business of joyful service together. Plus, we can read and then steal each other’s ideas.

“In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service. ‘It is the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, obedience to which will bring ‘peace on earth,’ because it means—good will toward all men.’ Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. Then each Christmas will be the best Christmas ever.” — Thomas S. Monson

I feel more Christmasy already.

p.s. The reporting back is not necessary, but just helps with three things: 1) accountability/slacker prevention, 2) letting you “tell” someone about something you did that you’re so excited about, but you can still remain anonymous, and 3) sharing service ideas. There’s no rule about reporting daily, just update us as often as you can or want to.

Note:  When you comment anonymously or under a pseudonym, and the computer doesn’t recognize you, it will send your comment to me for moderation.  It may seem like it “disappeared,” but I’ll get it posted soon.  🙂