Four Ways to Bring Joy to Others This Christmas (in 2020)

2020 has been one crazy and history-making year. It is a year that has been filled with uncertainty, tragedy, division, loss, sickness and so much more. Peace and joy have been hard to come by in the past several months. So how do we find peace and joy during a season that is meant to be full of those two emotions? 

In the Christmas story found in Luke 2:8-14 (NIV), it says this: 

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

God gave us peace and joy in the form of a baby—how picture-perfect is that?

God sent His son Jesus Christ into the world, first as a baby and then a man, to bring peace and joy, forgiveness and healing. Then, before He left Earth to return to heaven, Jesus called us—He called Christians—to continue to spread peace and joy and healing throughout the world.

But how do we do that? How do we spread Christmas cheer, hope, and peace to others this year?

Well, we have to start by trusting Jesus and being unafraid as the angel told the shepherds long ago. Then we just have to go out and start loving others in the same way that Jesus did.

So here are four ways that you can bring joy to others this Christmas:

1. Volunteer to be a bell ringer for the Salvation Army...while singing Christmas carols!

Bell ringing is a great way to get out into your community and connect with people during the Christmas season.

A couple of years ago, my friends and I rang bells for the Salvation Army as part of a community outreach for a school club that we were in. For probably about the first half an hour or so, we stood by the bucket and rang the bell like what you may normally see.

Then, for some reason—I do not remember exactly how or why—we started singing Christmas songs. Once we started singing, we could not stop. We were actually pretty sad when our time was over because we were having so much fun singing!

The best part of it for me though was to see the way people smiled or lit up with joy and happiness hearing our songs as they walked into or out of the store. It made my heart so full to see the positive reactions of so many different people.

My friends and I did not even care what people thought of us—one guy even teased us as he came out of the store because we forgot some of the lyrics to “The 12 Days of Christmas.” Yet the man’s teasing did not bother us, it just made us laugh and have that much more fun.

The point of what we were doing was not to look good in front of others (in fact, I am sure we looked and sounded ridiculous), but to have fun and bring joy to those who came into or out of that store.

So, I encourage you this year to round up a group of your friends, sign up to be bell ringers, and sing Christmas songs to your heart's content as you do so bringing joy to others.  

2. Write letters/cards to older folks (or really anybody) who are stuck at home or inside. 

This year, most older people—specifically those in nursing homes—cannot have visitors, but that does not mean we cannot still shower them with love.

If you know someone in a nursing home or someone who is stuck in their house (or even if you do not know anyone), send them a letter or a card this year to let them know that they are not forgotten. Become a pen pal to someone who cannot get out or cannot have visitors.

It will bring a smile to their face…and to yours too!

3. Make homemade gifts for your friends and family instead of buying gifts (not that you cannot buy them a gift). 

Homemade gifts are usually more meaningful in the long run to people than store-bought gifts are (though not exclusively). You could make them a fancy poster, knit them a scarf or hat, or write them a poem.

In fact, you would not have to necessarily make anything. You could simply bless them with your talents! Maybe your mom really likes to hear you and your siblings make music together. So what you could do is quickly form a sibling band and serenade your mother on Christmas day.

Homemade gifts can come in any form and they could mean the world to the person that you give it to. 

4. Sponsor a local family in need. 

If you know of any family in your local area that is struggling to make ends meet this Christmas, instead of your family giving each other gifts, you could pool your resources together to bless a family in need.

We as Christians are called to spread the Good News of Jesus to the world and part of that Good News is the peace and joy that is found only in God.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) says this, 

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

There is peace in God and this peace we can have with us at all times. It is through this peace that we are able to share the joy of Jesus Christ with others.

Matthew 5:14 & 16 (NIV) tells us this: 

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden...In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your goods deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” 

Be God’s light in this dark world.

Try out one (or all) of these four suggestions—or come up with something yourself—and spread some hope, peace, and joy to this broken and battered world.

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." - Proverbs 17:22 (ESV) -