The Twelve Tasks of Christmas

Mary Lou Rosien offers twelve ideas for lifting your spirits, and those of others, during the Christmas season.

12 Tasks of Christmas 

Take a picture of your Christmas tree; lie under it and look at the lights from underneath. 

What else can change if I change my perspective? 

“For I know the plans I have in mind for you.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Play secret Santa to a neighbor. Leave a small gift of dollar-store treats or a Christmas decoration on their front step. 

How can I open my eyes to other opportunities to do small kindnesses for people? 

“Do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be in secret.” (Matthew 6:3-4a)

Do a kindness or something special for someone very close to you, something they would not expect. 

In what other ways can I anticipate other people’s needs? 

Do nothing out of selfishness … humbly regard others as more important than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)

Make Christmas cookies with someone else. 

How can I invite other people into my life? 

“Love one another as I love you.” (John 15:12)

Grab a cup of coffee or hot cocoa with a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. 

Do I make an effort to connect regularly with people I care about? 

“I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father.” (John 15:15)

Drive around and look at the lights. 

What beauty do I drive past every day that I should take time to see? 

God has made everything appropriate to its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Give the gift of forgiveness to someone you have not forgiven. Find some tangible way to recognize this forgiveness (write a letter, go to Confession).

Do I recognize that anger against another is the same thing as paying for a crime that somebody else committed?

“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

Play outside in the cold, snow, or rain.

Consider if you ever find the joy in things that look gloomy or uncomfortable?

For the sake of joy that lay before him [Jesus] he endured the cross. (Hebrews 12:2a)

Pay it forward and do a small kindness for a stranger. (Pay for someone else’s coffee, make a point of complimenting someone you don’t know.)

How can I find other ways to make the world a little bit better place?

[Be] hospitable, a lover of goodness. (Titus 1:8)

Make yourself a Christmas present. Wrap it for yourself and save it for Christmas Day.

Do I remember that I am special and worthy too?

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)

Ask forgiveness from someone.

Who in my life do I need to seek forgiveness from?

Blessed is the one whose fault is removed, whose sin is forgiven. (Psalm 32:1)

Write a heartfelt card or letter to someone who has made a difference in your life.

Do I thank people regularly for their contribution to my life?

[I] do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. (Ephesians 1:16)

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Twelve ideas for lifting your spirits, and those of others, during the Christmas season. #catholicmom

Copyright 2022 Mary Lou Rosien
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