Christmas Treats and Outreach
Advent is a season where many are searching for connection to the true meaning of Christmas, but don't always know where to look. It's a great time for churches to think about outreach to those in their community and city, and to offer a chance to find what unites us all at this time of year.
At Crossway Community Church in Grand Rapids, all it took was some creativity, a booklet, and a little treat for those who work so hard during the holiday season.
It Started with a Booklet
During Christmas, Amazon, UPS, and Fedex trucks are some of the most common vehicles on the road. Sometimes they make multiple stops to the same neighborhoods in a single day. One of the kindest things we can do for these individuals is offer them a snack during their long hours on the road. But at Crossway, they put a spin on it.
Instead of just setting out a basket of treats or snacks, they added the booklet A Love Worth Giving to You at Christmas by Max Lucado along with an invitation to attend a Christmas event or service at Crossway. One of the congregants set them out near the delivery area at her condo complex and started going through up to ten bags a day. It was clear that people were not only looking for a sweet treat to get through their day, but also something sustaining to hold on to during Advent.
Whether you live in a condo complex, apartment, or single-family home, you can use this idea to spread the good news at Christmas. And while handing them out to your delivery drivers is a great way to start, they can also be set on neighbors' porches or brought to events that you're attending during the holiday season.
Building the Goodie Bags
You only need a few things to make these bags a success.
- A Christmas booklet. A Love Worth Giving at Christmas by Max Lucado is a great option because it's affordable and can be purchased by the case so you always have some on hand.
- A store-bought treat. While homemade treats are wonderful, store-bought are best because not everyone feels comfortable taking a homemade treat from someone they don't know well. And while candy canes are festive, we recommend something extra special like a snack cake or Christmas brownie.
- An invitation. Include a card or slip of paper offering an invitation to a Christmas event or service at your church.
- A goodie bag. Don't forget to tie everything together with a cute Christmas bag, like one of these.
Get the Community Engaged
It's easy to make this a church event as well. You can host gatherings where people can put these bags together and each take some home. It serves as a connection for those within your congregation as well as those looking for a welcoming place during the holidays.
This is a sure way to be the hands and feet of Christ. We can never know how God will show up in these small acts of kindness and care, but it might just land in the hands of someone who needs the love of God more than ever during the Christmas season.