Teaching Kids to be Servant-Hearted at Christmas

Last week, I shared here that entering this Christmas season, I knew that I wanted things to look a little different during advent. In a world that practically screams at us to mold our lives around the opinion and approval of others and teaches our children to seek praise, position, and popularity in order to prove their value, I know that success in the eyes of the world is not what I want for them.

I think everyone should get rich and famous, and do everything that they ever dreamed of, so that they can see that it’s not the answer.”  – Jim Carrey

As Christians our lives are supposed to look different. Jesus’ life on earth took the idea of a king and turned it upside down.

Born in a stable, in a feeding trough,
He came not to be served, but to serve.
He showed us how to live by washing his disciples feet.
He healed the diseased and embraced the outcast.
His days weren’t influenced by people’s opinion or by his reputation.
He made no differentiation between those who dressed well and those who did not.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
 did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

But made himself nothing
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
~ Philippians 2:5-8

So this Christmas I’m not adding a slew of new things to our advent, but rather refocusing our activities on being a blessing, rather than being blessed. We are simply placing our emphasis on doing for others, mostly in simple ways, but ultimately with the goal of making it a rhythm of life.

Children love to help and be involved in thanking and blessing others, so by including them in the things you would already be doing this holiday season, you can begin to shape their hearts towards service. We may not be changing the world this Christmas, but perhaps we can be a flicker of light to someone who needs it.

Here are some practical ideas to get your kids involved:

• Place older kids in charge of teacher gifts. Give them a spending budget, drive them to the store, and let them decide what to get their teachers, how to wrap it, and in what way they want to deliver their gifts.

• If your kids love to bake, ask them to pick out a delicious loaf bread recipe, equip them with mini loaf pans, and put them in charge of whipping up a festive goodie to package up and take around to neighbors.

• Make a gift basket to drop off at a hospital for the nurses on shift or at the fire or police department. All of our first responders have been through a lot this year and could use a kind gesture or encouraging word.

• If your kids are artistic, set them up with the supplies to make a beautiful art print or collage to frame for grandparents. If they like to take pictures, they could design a photo gift on Shutterfly or Minted.

• Little ones love to help assemble gift bags or baskets, make a homemade card, or assist in baking. Have them shape dough balls or add sprinkles to frosted cookies. You don’t have to include them in every step to make them feel a part of the activity.

• If you are bringing a meal to a family, include your kids! Let them bake some cookies or a pie to add, chop up a salad, or make an encouraging card to tuck in with the meal. Take a child along to help you deliver it. 

• Help your kids set up a craft table to sell homemade goods to raise money for World Vision, Amazima Ministries, A21, or a beloved local nonprofit in your area. There are so many worthy organizations to support.

• If you are putting together a gift for a homeless teen, ask your child what they would want to receive if they didn’t have a home? Would bath bombs and room decorations be practical or would something like cozy socks or warm gloves, shelf-stable snacks, and new toiletries be more helpful?

Lastly, know when you are in a season to receive. Many of you reading this are in shoes that need to be served this year. Maybe your little one is recovering from his 5th surgery this year, your family is struggling with a mental illness, or a loved one is fighting cancer. We will ALL have times when we need to pour out and times when we will need to be poured into. That is the beauty of living in community in whatever shape or form that looks like for you.

Teaching our kids to see the world from another’s perspective doesn’t happen overnight, but maybe over the course of a childhood, we can begin to shape them into people who think beyond themselves and look to the needs of others.