Christmas

Christmas at Nursing Home – Listening With Our Eyes

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 And he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.  Luke 21:2-3 ESV

Three years ago, we hadn’t met many of our neighbors yet since we had just moved in, so when I saw the teenage boy pull in the driveway across the street I called over “Hey good morning!”, hoping to strike up a conversation. Surprisingly he didn’t even turn his head to look at me, and headed into his house. I was a bit put off and grumbled about that “unfriendly boy across the street” to my wife later. Nancy paused to let me finish griping, then she said, “He’s deaf you know. He can lip read, but he had to be able to see your face.” In an instant, not only did my attitude completely change but I felt pretty silly to boot.

When ministering at nursing homes, whether for Christmas, or any other time, one of the most important things we can do is to listen with our eyes, just as my deaf neighbor would have done if He could have seen me. In this third and final installment on preparing a Nursing Home Christmas program, let’s take time to consider the value of really seeing the people we are called to serve. In the same way that deaf people lip read, we need to pay attention to people’s facial expressions and body language while we are singing, giving gifts or putting on a Nativity play. We shouldn’t just plough through our well-planned program, then announce proudly to others how loving and generous we have been. We need to watch people’s faces to see how they are responding. If someone is just staring off into space, then catch their eyes and smile. If you see those in the back, turning their heads or cupping their ears, move closer as they may not be able to hear the song. Don’t let your “Silent Night” be silent because they can’t hear the notes! Ask God for help to not only listen to the words of greeting as you shake their hands to say goodbye; but take time to see them as Jesus does. Then maybe we will hear more than people’s words. We will see them as God does when we learn to listen with our eyes!

Getting Ready for Christmas in 21

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And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. Luke 1:26-27 KJV

“What in the world are these guys thinking?” I have often said, when I turn the corner in a store and see people stocking Christmas merchandise right after Labor Day. While it might seem silly to me; the dollars cents that those stores rake in over the holidays show that their Christmas preplanning works and today’s verse tells us that God is into early planning too. Remember that, He sent first angels, then shepherds and finally wise men, to tell people that something amazing was happening in Bethlehem. Why shouldn’t we, who do ministry in nursing homes do some early planning as well? Though Christmas is still seven weeks away it is time to begin planning and putting together a special event for the seniors in those communities that we visit. I began weekly visits into long term care facilities thirty years ago and a lot of things have changed, especially since Covid. Sadly, one thing has remained constant – most seniors will be alone for Christmas. With the old statistic of 75% of residents not receiving a visit over the entire year, made worse by the pandemic, it is more urgent than ever that we prepare as far in advance to make this Christmas different. Let’s mobilize all our forces to share the love and hope that Jesus came to bring to as many as possible!

“Where do I start?” you might ask, and for each of us the answer may be slightly different. Over the next week I will be sharing a variety of practical ideas that we have used over the years and I would love to hear from you any of yours. Please share because what you have learned could be a blessing to others who see the need and wonder how they can make a difference in their city.  Today I have included a video showing what our small prayer group has done this year. We are just a group of 12 people who share an urgency to do what we can, with what we have, to reach our community for Jesus Christ this Christmas. I really would love to hear from you if you are doing outreach into long term care communities (Including prisons) as to what has worked for you and what you have planned for this year. Stay tuned tomorrow as I launch into a nuts and bolts “How to” session on program prep. God bless and have a wonderful day!

Christmas Already?

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And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10 ESV

Okay I know it is at least a month early, but I am posting this now in order to offer a resource that you might consider for friends or family who need a large print devotional. Though the big-tech companies seem bent on converting us all to on-line reading, there is much to be said for actual books we can hold in our hands and make our own by scribbling in the margins. Each Christmas and Easter for the last several years I have put together a devotional in a large print version for the people I visit in various kinds of long term care. Even some of my friends in our small prayer group seem to prefer this for themselves when we purchase a number to be given away at the four communities which I visit. This year the collection is a 30 day reader titled, “Finding Jesus This Christmas” – because with all the confusion filling our world, we wonder, “Where is Jesus in the middle of this mess? ” We may wonder where the wise men came from or why shepherds seemed to be the only people who could hear the angel choir. Though Christmas is filled with questions, we still sense a mysterious truth who is wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. This Christmas is a day to pause and remember that no matter our situation or how crazy our world has become – God still remembers us!

You can follow the link below for the large print version or search by title and author of Amazon for the e-book and standard size print versions.