This month you’ll probably sing along with the popular song, “I’ll be home for Christmas.” Many, however, are singing a different tune. Here are some ways you can be a blessing to those who are away from home at Christmas.

But remember, the good news of the Savior is too good to celebrate only in December. Why not start now on a resolution to witness in love throughout 2007? Pick one of these to focus on all year or do a different one each month. After all, it’s easy to think of others at Christmas, but people are lonely in February, August, and October too.

Military families

• Organize care packages from the congregation. Contact Special Ministries at 414-256-3241 for a list of appropriate items.
• Organize an e-mail campaign. Assign people to specific dates to keep in touch.
• Submit their names to Special Ministries, 414-256-3241; archive.wels.net/jump/refer. They will receive copies of Meditations and sermons on tape.
• Join “Mail Call,” a place where you can e-mail WELS military personnel and they can request letters. Go to archive.wels.net/jump/military for more information.
• Send thank-you cards to spouses or parents.
• Babysit for younger children to give the spouse a few quiet hours.
• Invite their families to your family outings. Weekends and evenings are the hardest times to be apart.

Hospital patients and nursing homeor assisted living residents

• Visit—and smile. Ask what’s happening in their lives.
• Read a devotion and pray with them.
• Offer to help in whatever ways seem appropriate—mow their lawn, buy their favorite take-out meal, bring craft supplies, purchase stationery and stamps.

Missionaries

• Say a prayer for a different mission field each day this month.
• Become a Mission Partner and get personally involved in a mission field. To learn more about becoming involved, go to archive.wels.net/jump/mission-partners.
• Be a missionary in your neighborhood, country, or around the world through WELS Kingdom Workers, www.welskingdomworkers.org. 
• Adopt a Missionary Kid. This year, eight children of missionaries are attending school in the United States. Contact the Board for World Missions at bwm@sab.wels.net for addresses. 

Prison inmates