Make Time for Them

Merry Christmas! Before you read this next post, please watch this youtube video. My prayer is that this video/song will "set the stage" for something so very near and dear to my heart...making room in your Christmas plans for the elderly.

The first time I heard this song was when I was a little girl, probably between the ages of 11-13. How I love Christmas songs that tell a story and bring tears to your eyes. During the Christmas season we are faced with many "charity" opportunities to help those who have needs greater than our own. There is the Salvation Army bucket in front of nearly every department store, the Christmas boxes for children overseas, and a variety of other organizations/ministries that are all asking for your time and money. I don't know about you, but I tend to get overwhelmed with all of the needs that there are during this season. The truth is, those needs are always there, but when joy, blessings and happiness are magnified, it seems that pain, suffering, financial hardship, sickness and loneliness are magnified as well.

God has placed a calling on all of our lives, and if you know me even the smallest, tiniest bit, you know that He has placed a calling and an anointing on my life for the senior population. When God places such a calling and an anointing on a person, they are then in turn called to speak truth and inspire others, so here is my attempt at just that.

There will always be "special" people that are "more gifted" to do certain things, like feel comfortable around people who are wrinkly, "old", struggle to walk, hear and remember things. However, I don't care who you are, these people need you this Christmas season. It is sad for me to think about how many people avoid going to a nursing home because they can't get past that initial "smell" when they come inside a facility, or they aren't sure "what to say or do". I am not trying to discount any body's fears or anxieties, but I am going to challenge you to step outside of yourself and ask God to help you overcome them. Why? Because they need you. 

Right at this moment, I want you to close your eyes and imagine the following. Imagine that all if not most of your family and friends have died and passed away. Imagine if you had to share half of an already small room with another person who you don't even really like. Imagine if that room wasn't even big enough to put a Christmas tree inside of it, and now imagine that you don't even have the physical ability to make Christmas cookies for your family, wrap presents, or be able to write Christmas cards, because you can barely hold the pen in your hand and can hardly see the paper you are writing on. I want you to think about sitting in a wheelchair or laying in a bed, thinking about all of the Christmases that you've experienced and wondering if this will be the last one that you see, or how many more you actually will see. 

Friends, the elderly are nearly everywhere. They are in your churches, maybe your next door neighbor, they are your grandparents, your aunts and uncles, and that sweet little lady that you see sitting at McDonald's every Wednesday morning when you grab your cup of coffee and egg McMuffin. The challenges that they are facing at this age are immense, but the things that you can do to help alleviate these challenges and bring love and joy into their lives this Christmas season and all year long, are so small. Not only would you be a blessing to them, but don't be surprised if you walk away from them feeling even more blessed than when before you gave them your time.

Here are some simple ideas to show the love of Christ to the elderly in your life this season. Have no elderly in your life? Find them! They aren't too far away from you, I promise.

• Call a local nursing home and ask to speak to the activity director or volunteer coordinator. Ask them if you can help with a Christmas craft, or with "1-1 visits" with residents who are unable to get out of their room. If they are good at their jobs, they will find something meaningful for you to do!
• Take the time to send a Christmas card, or deliver a plate of goodies. It's amazing how far a plate of sugar cookies and a smile can go!
• If you have precious babies and/or little kids, dress them up cute for the holidays and go door to door in the nursing home! It is a special kind of joy for a senior to hold and/or see a precious baby or small child.
• Take your grandma or grandpa to look at Christmas lights, complete with a thermos of hot chocolate.
• Think about a skill, hobby or interest that you have personally that you could bless the elderly with. Do you like to do hair? Offer to wash, dry and curl a seniors hair before she goes to her 500 card club or Christmas party. Do you like to wood carve? Carve a simple little ornament and give it as a gift. Many seniors have little plastic Christmas trees, and would appreciate a special decoration to add to their other ornaments.

Friends, Jesus coming to this world as a tiny babe in the manger is the heart of Christmas. And within that heart, is the truth that God is for us and within us. Instead of focusing on what to get for others and what is in your budget, I pray that your focus will shift a bit to focusing on how you can give of your heart and your time. Cherish these people this Christmas season with the same love of cherishing the Christ child. Emmanuel, God with us.