Today, my family and I went to a Salvation Army Camp near us and helped them serve their annual Breakfast with Santa. Every year my extended family tries to do something that is our gift to Jesus for Christmas to celebrate his birthday. This year our kids are old enough for us to do something where we can all do something like this.

At first our kids were kind of shy about doing this, and then they just took off and really enjoyed themselves. They were even somewhat competing to see who could get to the person who needed something first. Of course they were told not to run and act crazy, which they did a good job of not doing. I was really proud of them and it warmed my heart to see them so willing to serve people like that.

We also have given some canned goods and other items at our church that will be passed out to needy people in our area. We have some other ideas of ways that we as a family can help people that we plan on doing as well. Between doing those things and celebrating Advent this year in our house I do not feel that Christmas is just passing us by like last year, but that the richness and joy of the season is grabbing a hold of me and my family.

So what are you doing to make Christmas special to you this year?