Advent is a time for visiting: While pregnant with Jesus, Mary visits her cousin, Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist (Luke 1:39) and the Magi visit the new parents, Mary and Joseph (Matthew 2:1-13).

Every Advent, millions of children look forward to waking up in the morning and opening that little cardboard door to reveal a little chocolate. That sense of joy and anticipation is holy! What if we could reignite that childhood joy?

Better yet, what if we could BECOME that Advent joy for someone else?

This Advent Season, consider sitting down on your own or with your family. Make a list as long as you can—not of “who’s naughty and nice”—but of all the people who might appreciate a phone call, an e-mail or a Christmas letter.

We all know someone in a special care home, whether a family member or a neighbour, who we have not seen in a long time. Maybe someone from town is in the hospital; they don’t expect a call or a text, but they might appreciate it.

There are 27 days in Advent this year so try to think of 27 different people. Maybe you can think of only a few. That’s fine. Put them on a weekly rotation. Call them on week one, write them a Christmas letter on week two, Zoom them on week three, drop cookies on their doorstep on week four. Have fun with it!