For the last 4yrs our family has done a Free Hot Chocolate stand. We do this at Christmas time at one of the local shopping centers. First, we set up a table, complete with hot chocolate (enough to serve 160), marshmallows, whipped topping, and candy canes. Then we go to work yelling, "Free Hot Chocolate!" to passers by. Many people stop asking, "what's the catch?"We reply,"no catch, it's just free hot chocolate, and Merry Christmas." Some try to give us money, but we refuse, kindly saying, " it's a gift, and it wouldn't be a gift if you paid for it." Others pass by multiple times refusing. Our favorites are the ones who stop and take their hot chocolate with the works (marshmallows, whipped topping, and a candy cane). We're especially thrilled when folks come back for seconds! This has become one of the highlights of the Christmas season for our family. We enjoy this time together as a family, blessing our community. It is an opportunity to give a free gift, just as one was given to us that first Christmas. We see and meet people in our community, and pray that they will take Jesus with "the works,"receiving the life in the full He came to give.
What a wonderful tradition! We might have to copy you. No wonder your kids are turning out so well...they have wonderful parents teaching them love & the ways of the Lord!!
What a great tradition! I might have to copy this one---my children would really enjoy this one! Hmm......I'll have to keep you posted. :) Thank you for sharing.
Your family are being a wonderful light to your community and it was a blessing for me to read and enjoy your ministry through your post!
That is so fun! I'll be the kids LOVE it. What a great idea - one to think about all year... hmmm...
A friend of mine made us her own hot chocolate mix and packed it with homemade marshmallows this year. I MUST have the recipe it was so good! I'll share it with you when I get it... I take it y'all love hot chocolate, too. :)
I'm Denise Jones~ Michael's wife, Noah, Emilie, and Josie's mommy.
Jesus knows me this I love.
Praise is who I am, praise is what I do.
I love words: written, spoken, sung, lived.
I have a love/hate relationship with homeschooling.
I value time spent with a good friend.
I go nowhere without my lipstick!
"Even in childhood was implanted within me a trace of that mysterious unity from which I was derived" St. Augustine
Everybody has to change or they expire. Everybody has to leave, leave their home and come back so they can love it again for all new reasons. I want to keep my soul fertile for the changes, so things keep getting born in me, so things keep dying when it is time for things to die. I want to keep walking away from the person I was a moment ago. Only a good story has a character different at the end than it was in the beginning. Through Painted Deserts Donald Miller "Our whole life was only given to us to advance us by great strides toward our heavenly country." Lancelot Andrews In my life, God is always changing the way I think of Him. I am not saying GodHimself is changing, or thatmy theology is open and I blur the lines on truth;I am only saying I think I know who He is, then I figure outI don't know very much at all. Searching For God Knows What Donald Miller
A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you. Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis
For the last 4yrs our family has done a Free Hot Chocolate stand. We do this at Christmas time at one of the local shopping centers. First, we set up a table, complete with hot chocolate (enough to serve 160), marshmallows, whipped topping, and candy canes. Then we go to work yelling, "Free Hot Chocolate!" to passers by. Many people stop asking, "what's the catch?" We reply, "no catch, it's just free hot chocolate, and Merry Christmas." Some try to give us money, but we refuse, kindly saying, " it's a gift, and it wouldn't be a gift if you paid for it." Others pass by multiple times refusing. Our favorites are the ones who stop and take their hot chocolate with the works (marshmallows, whipped topping, and a candy cane). We're especially thrilled when folks come back for seconds!
This has become one of the highlights of the Christmas season for our family. We enjoy this time together as a family, blessing our community. It is an opportunity to give a free gift, just as one was given to us that first Christmas. We see and meet people in our community, and pray that they will take Jesus with "the works," receiving the life in the full He came to give.
That is so AWESOME! I love that idea. What great memories you are making with your kids and teaching them about giving and showing Gods love.
ReplyDeleteThat is a awesome! It's about giving. Great Job!
ReplyDeleteI missed it again!
ReplyDeleteYou MUST tell us when you will be there.
I could have used a friendly hug from those kids and some hot choc.
What a wonderful tradition! We might have to copy you. No wonder your kids are turning out so well...they have wonderful parents teaching them love & the ways of the Lord!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tradition! I might have to copy this one---my children would really enjoy this one! Hmm......I'll have to keep you posted. :) Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYour family are being a wonderful light to your community and it was a blessing for me to read and enjoy your ministry through your post!
Merry Christmas Denise.
Amazing idea! I love it. When my kids are a little bit older I can see us doing that!
ReplyDeleteThat is so fun! I'll be the kids LOVE it. What a great idea - one to think about all year... hmmm...
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine made us her own hot chocolate mix and packed it with homemade marshmallows this year. I MUST have the recipe it was so good! I'll share it with you when I get it... I take it y'all love hot chocolate, too. :)
Happy New Year, Denise!