5 Unique Groups of People to Bless this Holiday Season

As I went back to the DMV for the third time recently, I was almost in tears over having to go back to that horrible place of long lines and a sea of personal documents. When I finally got everything done I could almost feel myself running out of the building for air. This got me thinking about how people give holiday gifts to police officers and firemen, but I have never heard of anyone going to bless the workers at the DMV.

We have a special role as believers to bless others in the name of Jesus, and this is a great time of year to do so for others. Today we are going to discuss five unique groups of people to bless this holiday season.

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1. DMV Workers

Yes, as you probably suspected, the first on my list is to bless those working with the masses and reading the sea of documents. I imagine that these people are not thanked enough for what they do for others. I realize that they are paid for their work, but it is still not an easy job. This holiday season, think about ways to write them letters with your family or a group, drop by packaged food, or maybe even pay for a catered lunch. We can show Christ with our words and generosity.

Proverbs 3:27 says, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.”

2. Professors or Teachers

If you are in school or ever had a teacher who you can go back and encourage, now is a wonderful time, whether you send a handwritten letter, give a gift card, or email them. Gratitude goes a long way, especially for under-appreciated teachers. Whether this is a teacher whom you love, or one who is challenging to be around, choosing to love them like Christ will motivate them to see the love that God has for them.

Our ministry recently set up a table on a college campus where students could write thank you cards to their professors. It was overwhelmingly encouraging to see as letters flooded our table written to different professors who will soon be encouraged by the words. For teachers, so much is done behind the scenes. Maybe you are a parent or a grandparent, and you can show the love of God through your thankfulness on behalf of a student? However you are connected to a teacher or professor, this is a wonderful time to encourage them.

John 15:12 says, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

Photo credit: Unsplash/Juliana Malta

4. Garbage Collectors

If you have ever been near a dump, the smell is horrific and it is not a desirable place to be for longer than a minute. Garbage collectors keep our cities clean and environmentally safe. They help us to have bags of dirty diapers, old food, and all kinds of disgusting trash removed from staying around our homes.

Whether your garbage collector drives by your house or works at the city or county dump, he or she could definitely use some thankfulness. Whether you bring them a card, gift card or a creative gift, it will mean a lot to them. In an often unseen profession, we have the opportunity to show that the Lord sees them and cares for them.

Philippians 2:4 says, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

5. Mail Carriers

One of my favorite things that my parents did while I was growing up was that they looked out for the mail carriers. My mom and dad got to know them by name and when holidays rolled around, they would make an effort to watch for them and bring them a pie or bottled waters.

Nowadays, with added work for post people and late nights, it is more vital than ever to show grateful hearts toward them. Our kindness can go a long way. We can give them some special holiday food, gift cards, or even a letter from ourselves. You could catch them in person or leave it very obviously in the mailbox for them. I would recommend trying to catch them if you can, but it is also difficult since they come by for such a short time frame when they are at your mailbox.

Something to remember as well is those who work at the local post office in town. The mail sorters keep things running smoothly every day and are just as valuable in the mail process.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “So encourage each other to build each other up, just as you are already doing."

5. Grocery Store Employees

We go there every week, however we can easily just go through the motions. We can forget that those standing in front of us at the checkout counters and the ones restocking the shelves are people. We can run to the self-checkout to avoid conversation and eye contact to save on time.

However, those working in our grocery stores are hard-working individuals who are made in the image of God. We have the opportunity to recognize them this holiday season by coming by and bringing treats or thank you cards. How surprised will they be if gratitude pours out onto them in an unexpected way and they receive acknowledgment? You could even surprise the nighttime workers who really would not expect a crowd supporting them.

Hebrews 13:16 says, “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

These are just five of many possible groups of people to prioritize and thank this holiday season. Who else can you think of that often gets overlooked? As Christ-followers, we are called to live sacrificial lives for the sake of the gospel. How can you sacrifice financially, of your time, or of your talents to help others know that the Lord sees them and cares for them? We can be the salt of the earth and the light of the world when we model the love of Jesus through our words and actions.