Practical Ways to Minister to Women During the Holidays

Written by Grace Clausing

The Christmas season can be a time of hustle and bustle, rushing from one place to the next. All too often we forget to remember the meaning behind Christmas and get caught up in the materialism of it all. During this advent season, why not take advantage of some everyday ministry opportunities God puts in your path? Instead of hurrying from store to store, attempting to find the perfect gift, give the women around you something that doesn’t require large amounts of cash. All that is necessary is a little bit of your time and a whole lot of your love. Here are some ideas on how you can care for women during this holiday season.

Give Food
This can be transformed into several different ideas. Cook a meal for a single mom and deliver it to her. You will see pure joy and relief come across her face as she accepts your gift. Or, bring two mugs of hot chocolate to a shut-in or nursing home resident. As you sip your warm drinks together, listen as she opens up and talks about past holiday seasons. Often these women simply want to know someone cares for them, especially during Christmas.

Another idea is to take a woman who is financially stressed to lunch. Tell her it’s your Christmas gift to her and that you’d like to spend your lunch hour getting to be better friends. Remember that it’s the thought and the care behind a gesture that really matters.

Offer Your Help
Be a chauffeur and drive an elderly woman in your church to do her Christmas shopping. When you’re finished shopping, wrap the gifts for her as well. You can even help her address her Christmas cards, and then kindly deliver them to the post office.

Also, a huge gift to any mom during the holidays, especially a single mom, is a free night of babysitting. What better opportunity for them to sneak in some holiday shopping? You can even treat your kids and a single mom’s kids to a play day in the snow.

An act of service is always a gift that warms the heart, so another great idea is to volunteer at a women’s shelter. Perhaps you can get together with some other ladies from your church and collect needed supplies, such as blankets and clothes. And any mom will attest to how much it means when someone invests in their child, so why not do that for other moms? Throw a Christmas party for the kids’ at the shelter and help ensure that their holidays are filled with love and celebration.

Give from the Heart
It makes anyone feel special when they receive a gift that is especially designed with them in mind. You can do this by making a specialized goodie basket and delivering it to a friend or neighbor. Fill the basket with food, ornaments, candy, or even toys for kids. Let your imagination run wild and have some fun creating your themed gift basket.

Another great customized gift is to use your photography skills and offer to take a Christmas photo for a family. Put the photos on a CD and wrap it neatly in a Christmas card. Then the family can enjoy your gift for years to come.

And of course we don’t want to forget the women who serve on or alongside the church staff. One great idea is to pitch in with a group of women and purchase a gift certificate to a day spa for your pastor’s wife. Then, to top off the gift, offer to watch her kids when she treats herself.

The ideas for ministering to women during the holidays are endless. And with all the expenses that come at this time of year, many of these gifts don’t require money at all. Now that you have some ideas to get you started, you can take advantage of the everyday ministry opportunities you encounter this Christmas. Keep in mind that the only thing your gifts require is a willing spirit.

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