I was recently talking to a friend who explained that every single night on her calendar from now until the end of the year was booked. Every. Single. Night.

That. Is. Busy.

Honestly, when I was her age, my calendar looked exactly the same. Too many commitments, too little time, and by the time Christmas rolled around, I wasn’t exactly overflowing with holiday cheer. I was just tired. Like, “wrap the gifts in grocery bags and call it a day” kind of tired.

Christmas has a way of doing that to us, doesn’t it? From endless shopping lists to holiday parties and family gatherings, it feels like the entire month of December is a never-ending sprint. At some point, you’ve probably said something like, “If I can just make it to Christmas Eve…”

Maybe you’ve heard me tell the story about one Christmas Eve at West when we were sooo stressed and tired, when it came time to do the welcome in the service, it consisted of, 

“Welcome to West. We are so glad you are here to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord.” 

Dead silence.

“After, of course, we give birth to him.” 

That was tired. Christmas rugged tired.

Here’s the problem: in all the rushing and wrapping and running around, it’s easy to forget what matters. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, tried, and even unkind. Yet, what if we will stop and remember, like Buddy the Elf, the smallest, simplest acts can have the biggest impact.

Buddy the Elf got this. He didn’t save Christmas with some grand, sweeping gesture. No, Buddy’s charm was in the little things. He decorated a department store like his life depended on it. He complimented a coffee shop on their “world’s best cup of coffee.” He sang loud for all to hear—even when his singing skills were, uh, questionable.

Sure, it was silly. But Buddy’s little acts of kindness rippled out, changing everyone around him. Grumpy coworkers softened. Strangers started believing. Even his distant father couldn’t resist Buddy’s relentless optimism.

Now, let’s talk about us.

Have you ever noticed how the busyness of Christmas turns people into walking stress balls? Lines are long, patience is short, and “holiday cheer” feels like something you only see in Hallmark movies. But here’s the thing: it’s in this chaos that small acts of kindness shine the brightest.

A smile. A kind word. Letting someone cut in line at the store. These tiny moments might not feel like much, but they can be the difference between someone feeling defeated and someone feeling seen.

And the best part? Kindness doesn’t require extra time or money. It’s not about doing something huge; it’s about doing something thoughtful. It’s contagious, too. One small act can lead to another and another, until someone’s day—or even their whole Christmas—feels a little brighter.

Galatians 6:9 says it perfectly: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

What if we let this season of busyness become a season of kindness? What if the best gift we gave wasn’t wrapped in shiny paper but came in the form of little, meaningful acts?

So, the next time you’re stuck in the insanity of the traffic line at Target, instead of loudly honking the horn or gripping the steering wheel in rage, just wave and let it go.

Buddy’s small acts of kindness weren’t flashy, but they mattered. And yours will, too.

Let’s bring a little light into the chaos this Christmas, one small act at a time.

Prayer:
God of kindness, thank You for showing us how small acts of love can make a big difference. In the busyness of this season, help us to slow down and notice the people around us. Teach us to share Your light in thoughtful, simple ways that bring joy to others. Amen.

Now, let’s go out there and be a little more like Buddy. Sing a song (or maybe just hum it). Compliment someone. Bring a smile to a stressed stranger. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about spreading kindness in a way that’s real. Because that’s what Christmas is really about.