Ways of Christmas

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WRITE A LETTER OF GRATITUDE

BE T H A NK FU L IN A LL CIRCU M STA NCES, FOR T HIS IS GOD’S W ILL FOR YOU W HO

BELONG TO CHR IST JESUS.

1 T H E S SA L ON I A N S 5:18 N LT

Has someone made a difference in your life? Maybe it’s a teacher who made a difference in your education: a coach

who believed in you and inspired you to do your best, a grandparent who raised you, or a family member who

loved you unconditionally. Why not tell that person in a letter or card how they have inspired you?

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WRITE A LETTER OF GRATITUDE

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GIVE A HOMEM ADE GIFT TO A NEIGHBOUR

YOU H AV E BEEN T R E AT ED GENEROUSLY, SO LI V E GENEROUSLY

M AT T H E W 10:8 M SG

Whether you know your neighbours or not, Christmas is an opportunity to extend a hand and make a connection by

giving a small handmade gift like these shortbread.

MACADAMIA CHRISTMAS SHORTBREAD

Preheat oven to 175˚c. Line baking trays with baking paper and set aside. Beat butter, icing sugar and vanilla extract on medium speed for 5 minutes until light and fluffy. In another bowl, mix the nuts and flour together. Tip the flour mixture into the butter mixture and stir until they well combined. Drop heaped teaspoonfuls onto the prepared baking trays, leaving space for the biscuits to spread as they cook. Bake for 16-20 minutes (they are ready when light gold). Whilst biscuits cool, prepare a bowl of sifted icing sugar. Drop biscuits into icing sugar to coat whilst still hot and move to a wire rack to cool. Once cool, sift remaining icing sugar on top for a second coating.

250g unsalted butter (room temperature)

70g macadamia nuts chopped

80g pure icing sugar, sifted

300g plain flour, sifted

2½ teaspoons vanilla extract

icing sugar, for coating

LET SOMEONE GO IN FRONT OF YOU

HONOU R CHR IST A ND PU T OT HER S FIR ST

E PH E SI A N S 5:21 DA R BY

Nearly everyday we encounter a situation where we are required to wait. Whether it’s in the car, at school, work or at the shops, why not let someone go in front of you. It might only delay you a few minutes, but you never know the impact that could come from putting

others first with a small gesture like this!

3 PAY THE BILL OF A RANDOM

STRANGER

LET SOMEONE GO IN FRONT OF YOU

3 PAY THE BILL OF A RANDOM

STRANGER

SO SEI Z E A N Y OPPORT U NI T Y T HE LOR D GI V ES YOU TO DO GOOD T HINGS A ND

BE A BLESSING TO EV ERYONE ...

GA L AT I A N S 6:10A VOIC E

Celebrate those around you by doing something just to make someone else’s day. Pay the bill for someone at the shops, petrol station, restaurant or cafe. Or maybe leave a gift card in shopping trolley for the next person. It doesn’t

have to be costly, just a blessing.

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BE A FRIEND WHO LISTENS

M Y DE A R FR IENDS, YOU SHOU LD BE QU ICK TO LIST EN A ND SLOW TO SPE A K.

JA M E S 1:19 C EV

We live in a very busy and unpredictable world, and many people have no one to talk to about things

that are important. If someone you know is going through a tough time, offer to chat over a coffee.

Simply connecting and listening will show how much you care.

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BE A FRIEND WHO LISTENS

VISIT SOMEONE TO SPREAD

SOME CHEER

DON’T JUST TA LK A BOU T LOV E . PU T YOU R LOV E IN TO AC T ION. T HEN I T W ILL T RU LY BE LOV E .

1 JOH N 3:18 N I V

Showing kindness, love, compassion or care isn’t always grand acts and big gestures. Love can be shown in the

smallest of ways. You could grab some friends and sing carols at a local nursing home, or buy a box of chocolate bars and hand them out with a nice note to strangers at a hospital. Visit someone you know who needs some cheer.

What can you do to show God’s love today?

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MAKE A DONATION TO HELP SOMEONE IN NEED

SO GI V E FR EELY TO T HOSE W HO A R E NEEDY. OPEN YOU R HE A RTS TO T HE M

DEU T E RONOM Y 1 5:10 N I V R

ASYLUM SEEKER SUPPORTSetting up home is very tough for many asylum seekers

with limited resources. We want to help in a small way by providing kitchen basics. Buy NEW crockery sets, cutlery sets

and pots and pans, and drop off at the weekend collection point in the foyer.

SALVO FOOD PANTRYChristmas is a busy time for emergency food providers like the Salvos. Buy a few extra grocery items and bring to the weekend collection point in the foyer to help us fill their

shelves. Buy tinned soups, vegetables, meals, cereals, muesli bars, sweet or savoury biscuits, soups, pastas and rice.

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MAKE A DONATION TO HELP SOMEONE IN NEED

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T HE WOR LD OF T HE GENEROUS GETS L A RGER A ND L A RGER

PROV E R B S 11:24A M SG

A simple sincere compliment can brighten someone’s day. Go out of your way today to be encouraging and generous with your words. You could even leave candy canes on car windows in your work car park with a nice note attached.

BE GENEROUS WITH YOUR WORDS

SHARE CHRISTM AS DAY WITH SOMEONE

GENEROUS H A NDS A R E BLESSED H A NDS BEC AUSE T HEY GI V E BR E A D TO T HE POOR

PROV E R B S 2 2:9 M SG

Invite those you know who are alone or disconnected to join you for Christmas Day and you will capture the true

meaning of Christmas.

MISSION AUSTRALIA PERTH CHRISTMAS LUNCHEach year on Christmas day over 2000 individuals from across Perth and beyond gather together in Wellington

Square to share Christmas Lunch in the Park. Volunteers play an important part in making such a massive event like this possible, and are needed for the lead up and on

the big day. Register online to give your time to make Christmas Day a special one for those less fortunate. 1

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1 christmaslunchinthepark.com.au

INVITE YOUR NEIGHBOURS OVER FOR A CHRISTM AS

PART Y OR BBQ

SHARE CHRISTM AS DAY WITH SOMEONE

9INVITE YOUR NEIGHBOURS

OVER FOR A CHRISTM AS PART Y OR BBQ

K EEP OPEN HOUSE: BE GENEROUS W I T H YOU R LI V ES. BY OPENING U P TO OT HER S, YOU’LL

PROM P T PEOPLE TO OPEN U P W I T H GOD, T HIS GENEROUS FAT HER IN HE AV EN.

M AT T H E W 5:16 M SG

When was the last time you spent time with your neighbour and got to know them a little better? Christmas is a great time to begin to build genuine relationships that

allow room for spiritual conversations. Why not invite neighbours, friends and family to the NOËL Christmas

Experience on Tuesday 23rd or Wednesday 24th December. Pick up an invitation at one of our weekend services.

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11GIVE A SM ALL CHRISTM AS

GIFT TO THOSE WHO SERVE YOU OFTEN

EV ERY TI M E YOU CROSS M Y M IND, I BR E A K OU T IN EXCLA M ATIONS OF TH A NK S TO GOD. E ACH

EXCLA M ATION IS A TR IGGER TO PR AY ER. I FIND M YSELF PR AY ING FOR YOU W ITH A GLA D HE A RT

PH I L I PPI A N S 1:3-4 M SG

For all of us there are at least a few people who serve us on a regular basis, who we don’t necessarily acknowledge because they have become so much a part of our everyday routines. It might be a bus driver, or someone who makes your coffee at the cafe, or the supermarket cashier you see each week. Today, let’s purpose to show appreciation and

thanks for these people!

11GIVE A SM ALL CHRISTM AS

GIFT TO THOSE WHO SERVE YOU OFTEN

FIND A MOMENT OF PEACE WITHIN THE CHRISTM AS CHAOS

GLORY TO GOD IN T HE HIGHEST A ND ON E A RT H PE ACE TO M EN ON W HOM

HIS FAVOU R R ESTS.

LU K E 2:14. N I V

Life isn’t always peaceful. Some would say it’s never peaceful. Yet, Christmas reminds us of the Prince

of Peace who came to reconcile us to God. When we have room for Him, peace reigns even in the midst of our chaos. So today, quiet your mind in the midst of

decorating, shopping or your busyness and remember this Saviour and His life that changed the world forever.

Be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

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1 Thorogood Street, Burswood | PO Box 524 Victoria Park WA 6979 T. +61 8 9416 0000 | email@riverviewchurch.com | riverviewchurch.com

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