A Calendar of Good Deeds by Jennifer and Caroline Dilts
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. (Luke 2:14 NIV)
Caroline: “It’s a Christmas calendar for good deeds,” my mom explained to my sisters and me. “We pick something for each day off of the list of good deeds and write it on the days of the calendar. Then, we look at the calendar every day and perform the act of kindness that we wrote on the box.”
Lydia, Elizabeth, and I all jumped at the idea. I don’t quite know why, but it might have been because many of the actions we chose made us feel a bit like spies — sneaking around so that no one knew who taped the quarters to the gum-ball machine or left cookies on their neighbor’s front porch. No matter the reason, we had fun making people smile that Christmas season and the December kindness calendar sparked a love of completing acts of kindness in me and my sisters.
Since doing the calendar, my family will bring cookies, cupcakes, soups, and even mugs of homemade cinnamon apple cider to our neighbors. When I was younger, I would write notes or cut out paper snowflakes or hearts, then walk around the neighborhood and tape them to people’s doors, an activity inspired by the kindness calendar. The fun activity my family did one Christmas season inspired many acts of kindness to come, which shows that Christmas really can change the world.
Jennifer: Dear God, thank you for your insanely lavish gifts. You are so very good to us! Today feels magical, as we celebrate with loved ones and take some time to remember our blessings. Thankfully, you are just as generous and wonderful tomorrow, on December 26, as you are today. Help us remember to take time to receive and reflect on your love each day so that from our full hearts, we can pass love along to others. Amen.
Jennifer and Caroline Dilts