Although it was seventy seven degrees outside today, some radio stations are playing Christmas music, and the Santas are already at the mall, it doesn’t seem much like Christmas yet. This year, I have proposed a “service Christmas” for our family. I didn’t get much of a response; I think they were all too busy chewing their potatoes to notice.

So just now, my 6th-grade daughter asked me what she could do to serve. We began brainstorming ideas she could do for her friends, neighbors, kids at school, and the ward. We tried on a few ideas before we got to notes. Hand-written, typed, or a photocopied poem, snuck through the locker door. Just two or three sentences to say, “have a nice day, someone cares.”

The mood changed. We both began to see the possibilities. We could anonymously spark a little sunshine. We talked about friends first, then expanded our focus to others—kids that she would not consider friends. We talked about bringing a few friends in on the idea- they could all distribute random notes of kindness every day until Christmas. I might have a bite on my service Christmas after all.

If we truly want to honor our Savior, we should remember that although we like to use His birthday celebration as a way to give to those we love, the Savior might also direct us to include a larger group, even “those who despitefully use you and persecute you.” There seem to be plenty of them around these days.

May we all find the real spirit of this blessed season, and spread cheer to a world in desperate need of the Light of Christ.

Merry Christmas, and all the best,

Editor@DesertSaintsMagazine.com