“ Watch out!  Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your father in heaven.  2   When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do – blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity!  I tell you the truth; they have received all the Reward they will ever get. 3. But when you give to someone need don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

4. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

(Matthew 6:1-4)

 

The Bible has so much to offer in the way of advice.  I have seen so many books that claim to be a new thought and the advice was taken from one of the oldest books in our history, the Bible.  Like the idea of a vision board found in a book many people have read.  If you look at Habakkuk 2:2-3 you will see that a vision board is a very old idea.

 

It says, and the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (KJV Habakkuk 2:2-3)

 

Giving and especially giving at Christmas time is best served to give in secret.  The three wise men gave at Christmas and the first Santa, St Nicholas, gave in secret throughout his community.  There isn’t a parent I know who doesn’t want to teach their child to give in secret.  Not only is it an important skill to learn, it is also fun.

 

As we get closer to the holiday our family is thinking of ways, already, to give back this coming holiday season.  What about you?

 

Some ways to give in secret are,

Buying food for a neighbor and dropping it off at their house, ringing the doorbell and running.

Sending an anonymous cash donation to a charity of your choice, just make sure it gets to the right place.

Sending homemade cards to your local hospital to be distributed to patients.

Dropping food off at the local food bank.

 

We do some of these things and some other fun things as anonymous members of The Santa Club.  We make a card that says, Merry Christmas and From The Santa Club.  It gives us a way to give back and still let people know we believe in giving as the first Santa did, and as all the other members do today.

 

So get those holiday vision boards started and get ready.  The most joyous time of the year is close approaching.

 

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