There are many variations of saving spare change and what the change is used for, but this idea came from a fiction book called The Christmas Jar, by Jason F. Wright. I read this book several years ago and thought the idea would be a great tradition for my family to begin.
The Christmas Jar idea originates with a small restaurant owner. The local hang-out is called Chuck's Chicken 'n' Biscuits. (It reminds me of our local hangout, Zesto's, in West Columbia, SC. The fried chicken is fabulous.)
After filling a glass jar throughout the year with spare change and bills, Chuck delivers the jar to someone anonymously on Christmas Eve. To add a bit of adventure and fun, the jar is delivered knowing the recipient is home. After ringing the doorbell, he leaves the jar and runs. Then he hides in the distance to watch the reaction of the one receiving the gift left on the doorstep. What fun! What a blessing!
Along with the jar, a note is attached with the instructions of how to pay it forward. The recipients don't just receive a gift, but are also encouraged to pay the kindness forward the next Christmas Eve.
A note may say something like this: This is a Christmas Jar. You are receiving it from someone who wants to help you in your time of need. But, don't let the jar stop here. You are encouraged to start your own Christmas Jar and pay it forward anonymously next Christmas Eve. Just fill a jar with spare change and bills throughout the year and let the Spirit of Christmas continue to flow through you. Merry Christmas!
As Christmas jars multiply, showing up every Christmas Eve on unsuspecting doorsteps, the act of kindness quickly catches on and becomes a celebrated Christmas tradition in this small, fictional town.
I can't wait to see how God uses our non-fiction Christmas Jar in 2015 to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. And, since it's never too late to throw spare change in a Christmas Jar, why not start yours today? For it truly is more of a blessing to give than it is to receive.
"Just remember," Marianne said with just the slightest hint of authority. "It's not about an army of jars. It's about one. One jar. One birth. One Savior." (From Christmas Jars Reunion by Jason F. Wright, page 45.)
My Pleasure,
Melanie
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