Random Advent of Kindness

One day it was March. Then I blinked and Advent had arrived. I’m not quite sure how that happened or where the year went but Christmas is just around the corner. And what better way to prepare for its impending arrival than with this, my Random Advent of Kindness?

There’s no denying that 2020 has been a challenging year and one thing that’s shone through to provide chinks of light amid some dark and difficult times has been kindness. Christmas itself is all about celebrating the ultimate kindness, the kindness of God in sending his son Jesus to save us from the wrong things we would do. So, there seemed no better way to mark the approach to Christmas than with a countdown of kindness.

My Random Advent of Kindness calendar sets out 24 ideas of things you could do to show kindness between December 1 and Christmas Eve. There are ways to be kind to others and ways to be kind to yourself because, in such a difficult year as this, self care has never been more important.

This list is designed to suggest and to inspire. It’s not a to-do list or even a challenge to complete all 24 tasks; it’s meant to be fun, not a chore.

You might not want or be able to do everything on the list but that doesn’t matter. If only one person a day takes up my suggestion then that’ll be 24 extra kind things in the world by Christmas.

So why not have a read, see if there’s anything here you’d like to do, or if it inspires you to come up with your own, different random acts of kindness. And then, just be kind – to other people and to yourself – because a little bit of kindness goes a long way.

1. Help stop someone going hungry this Christmas by donating an item to a foodbank.
2. Give a card to a neighbour to show you care.
3. If you’re out and about, leave a cheerful note somewhere for someone to find.
4. Help give a little one a happy Christmas by supporting a children’s toy appeal, whether by donating or sharing information.
5. Check in with a friend you haven’t spoken to for a while.
6. Make space in your home ahead of Christmas by seeing if there’s anything you don’t use that could be donated to a charity shop.
7. Support a local business, whether by shopping with them or sharing them on Facebook etc.
8. Create a festive picture for your window to wish passersby a Merry Christmas and make them smile as they pass.
9. Write a letter to a friend or relative.
10. Make yourself a hot drink then find a quiet place to drink it and reflect on what this year has brought you.
11. Put on your best Christmas jumper, some festive socks or anything with a bit of sparkle and join in
    Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day.
12. Got a few pennies spare? Why not put some coins in a collecting tin or, if you’re not using cash, make a little donation to a charity online?
13. Write five positive comments on posts in your Facebook newsfeed.
14. Boost an independent business by placing an order or just shouting about their wares.
15. Write down five qualities you value or admire in each of the people you’ll be with on Christmas Day. Put them in an envelope for them to open after dinner.
16. Make a video call to someone you haven’t been able to see for a while.
17. Put your baking skills to the test and treat a friend or neighbour to some mince pies or cake.
18. Pop on some festive tunes and chill out with your household – or get rockin’ around the Christmas tree.
19. Write down five qualities you value or admire about yourself and put them in an envelope with the rest. After a hectic run-up to Christmas, you might need to remind yourself of your true worth.
20. Put technology aside for an hour or two and enjoy some good old-fashion board games with your family, or some single-player games if you live on your own.
21. Set aside some time to yourself and start reading a new book – or re-reading your favourite.
22. Send a message to someone on your social media who you don’t connect with much and let them know that you value them.
23. Have a Christmas movie night – popcorn optional
24. Light some candles, pour yourself some festive fizz, put your feet up and enjoy half an hour of quiet contemplation before the big day arrives.

When Christmas Day arrives, whether you’ve done 24 of these things, none of them or something in between, take time, if you can, to sit back, relax and enjoy the day in the best way that you can.

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people…” (Galations chapter 6, verse 10)

Sarah Moore is the author of For the Love of Lentil, A journey of longing, loss and abundant grace, which tells the story of her experience of pregnancy and miscarriage. Copies of the book are available here.