If ever there was a year when everyone needs a boost and some Christmas Cheer,
IT IS THIS ONE!!!
2020 has been BRUTAL!!!
I feel compelled to remind you of a Christmas past!
Two years ago, our family was going through a very difficult time. Some awesome people decided to grace us with gifts for the 12 days leading up to Christmas! We will never forget it! In fact, last year, we adopted the tradition for ourselves and passed it on! It brought us lots of joy, giggles and laughs too.
Like the night my husband I were doing the drop after dinner with friends. My husband darted to the porch for this later-than-normal-delivery. (We sought to be anonymous.) He jumped back in the car, I hit the accelerator and holding up a bag, he said, “What’s this?” I hit the brake, “That’s the gift!” He’d delivered our leftover dinner to the doorstep. He bolted from the car, now in the middle of the street, and made the swiftest exchange ever. Driving home was difficult, amid hysterical laughter.
Of course we haven’t forgotten that! What if …
It takes some planning and effort to give, but is so worth it. You can make it as simple or as complicated as you wish. Tailoring it to the families ages, stages and your budget; lots of fun possibilities.
I’ve been planning this years “drops”, but haven’t yet completed the twelve day gifts. It has been interesting though … the people surface without us trying to figure it out. By mid November, we knew!
Without further ado, let’s revisit our experience two years ago…..
I like Christmas to linger.
My decorations come down in mid-January.
The season gets so swiftly carried along by December busyness and events.
“Christmas-Linger” lets it soak in and resonate in my heart, as I ponder and ease
into the year ahead.
This year a unique and unexpected event happened at our house in December, at our front door: twelve days, ending Christmas Eve.
In my current phase of reminiscence, I have to share it with you!
Every day (usually morning), a gift appeared at the front door! (Very early!) Each contained scripture and a tag…. “From your friends”!
The twelfth day, Christmas Eve, a knock came and our “12 Days Of Christmas Family” appeared, in person. They told us how their tradition started, over 20 years ago, when their oldest children were toddlers and “Mom” wanted some Christmas joy. She read about this and adopted it as her personal way of focusing on giving, not getting. A Holiday Tradition was born. For years, she chose a family (or families) and delivered 12 Days of Christmas goodies to their doorstep, anonymously. (They don’t always reveal themselves on the twelfth day.)
As years passed, her family insisted on joining the fun. Even the few years, she didn’t think she could pull it off, her family would not allow the tradition to fade. They haven’t missed a year! Each year, they pray and let God put a name/names on their hearts.
This year, “God chose us”, they explained!
Just those words… “God chose you”… shivered a love-wave through our hearts. It felt like God was hovering close, focusing on our unworthy dwelling, and tending our hearts/spirits by leaving daily reminders on our doorstep. Being the “hands and feet” of Jesus was poignantly displayed to us for twelve days. We did nothing to earn it or deserve it!
I cannot explain how very touching this was. After a difficult number of months, these 12 mornings brought, fun, joy, giggles, excitement, anticipation, encouragement, and love. We were like kids in a candy shop, checking for the “drops”. We smiled just walking to the front door.
One day … the morning “goodness” did NOT appear.
By evening, we were listening for outside noises, like children listening for hooves on the rooftop. Standing in the kitchen, we heard a noise outside. Our heads tilted, mouths gasped, “what was that”? Hubby sprang to the door to glimpse our mystery guests. Ha… the prize had been delivered… we missed the giver! We were kids again, experiencing surprises at Christmas. We felt like a Star shone over our residence calling the wisemen to visit. The gifts were of the rarest type, worth more than silver or gold. They were gifts of the heart conveying undeserved care, thoughtfulness, kindness, and love.
Family and friends who knew about “12 Days” texted asking, “what we got” and “had we figured out who it was”. We did handwriting analysis, even sending pictures of the writing to see if anyone close recognized it. Believe me, we guessed lots of people. But, in the end, I had never met them … my husband had!
We have decided this tradition is going to become a staple in our household, as well. It reminded us that the simplest things can add so much joy. To know someone was thinking of us with tangible reminders, was priceless. The scriptures included with each gift, filled our hearts.
It has been a long time since Christmas surprises appeared, out of no where, from unknown givers, with our names on it, sort of like, Santa climbing down chimneys and leaving gifts in secret. Or God, sending His love for centuries of people, yet to be born, who didn’t know they needed His gift.
It was such a lovely gesture to us, I just had to spread the joy!
We’re still smiling!
Maybe, this year, you’d like to give some joy!
From experience, I can tell you, this will do it!
If you participate in the “12 Days” tradition, I’d love to hear about it!
Or, if you do something else with similar results, share it with us!
Give Joy,
Feel free to share with a friend(s).
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Elaine Stone 