Years ago, when I retired from teaching fifth grade, my husband, Ed, and I moved from Upland to a smaller home in North Fontana. Immediately I started getting acquainted with a few neighbors, inviting them over for coffee one at a time, seeking good relationships, and I found several.Christmas season was approaching and I decided to invite the women and their families for gingerbread house decorating. I had done this activity for my class for the last 20 years, and for kids in our old neighborhood, too, even when I was working. But now, with more time, I prepared for more kids. I delivered invitations to all the houses where I knew there were kids in our loop of 109 houses, making new friends. It was a great success and I continued to do it every year.

In April 2016, something changed to expand the reach – we got a dog! Scully is a large goldendoodle and I got in the habit of walking him in our neighborhood every day. I met many more people in their front yards, who mostly wanted to talk about the dog, of course. I would make a mental note if they had kids, then added them to the invitation list for the next year.

Christmas 2016 was the first time I made 100 gingerbread houses. I mix the dough in November…I start baking right after Thanksgiving and put them together the week after that…… and then open my home several times a week for neighbors to sign up for. Each family contributes some candy, and each child takes home their own decorated house. It is such a fun, special tradition that I have seen bring much joy to my neighbors.

Part of my fun is hiding something extra inside the house, something that remains unseen until they get it home and get permission to open it. Most years it was simply a decorated gingerbread man, but four years ago I made a gingerbread manger with a baby hidden inside.My hope is that it would be a witness to my neighbors who didn’t know that I’m a Christ follower. Some of them responded, but not all of them do. So, I started praying for God to help me be bolder for Him, to share the love and joy of Jesus with each family.

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39

Now, as I gather with neighbors and their kids, I wait to pass out the icing for gingerbread houses until I have asked, “What happened on the very first Christmas?” Someone usually answers correctly, and I respond with, “It is so awesome that God, who made everything, actually wanted to be a human! He came as a baby, lived as a kid like you and as an adult like me, showing us how to live. And He died for us, too! I’m so thankful that we celebrate Him. Now, let’s have some fun!”Decorating gingerbread houses has become a tradition for our neighborhood, thirteen times so far. This past year, I moved in with my mom and left that neighborhood, but my hope and prayer was that the people there would continue inviting neighbors over to decorate gingerbread houses. There is such beauty and joy in community, and I love getting to see what God has done through this fun idea.Last year, I asked several moms to host one of my parties at their houses, and two of them did, inviting their own friends and neighbors. That greatly encouraged me, and this year eight families have hosted! I don’t expect any of them to bake and build 100 houses, but they might each bake and build 10. It is a lot of work, but it is my thing – mine and God’s. I want others to see how faithful God has been in my life and come to love Him themselves.

“Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.” Luke 1:58

I believe this is something any of us can do. How can we look around and meet the needs in our neighborhood? May we be people who find ways to get acquainted with those who live near us, look for opportunities to connect or share with them, and spread the love and joy of Jesus in our community.

 

By: Mary Rush