Service to others is the greatest gift of all and also a sacred honor

As adults, we are the "Keepers of the Holiday Spirit." Devoted to recounting the miracle of Jesus' birth, we are also mindful of the greatness of many who have gone before us in the last two millennia. For example: the genius of Einstein; the saintliness of Mother Teresa; the wisdom of Confucius; the wonderful common sense of Ben Franklin, to name just a few.

Yet, as "Keepers of the Holiday Spirit," we also know that one of the most important stories that we can share with our families, friends and the community is that extraordinary service to our fellow human beings wherever they may be is most often expressed through ordinary people, like each of us.

The need to serve those who live with loneliness, poor health, and no money or resources, as well as the challenges of old age are matters which the harnessed energy of our spirits must address in a way that joyfully connects each of us to the other in real and meaningful relationships.

Most of us are, indeed, fortunate to be the recipient of a comfortable way of life where our material needs are readily met. Paradoxically, the comfort zone for living comfortably often renders us strangers to the comforting embrace that service to others can bring to each of us.

As "Keepers of the Spirit" during this most precious time of the year, we need to teach and to reaffirm our ability to join hands and hearts in order to work together to make a caring difference in our families, with our friends and for those we have not yet met in our communities. It is a golden opportunity to seize the moment to make our children and young people heart-smart, as well as head-smart. Connecting them by way of the Holiday Spirit with their communities for thoughtful, reflective engagement in the solution of real problems and current issues helps develop successful, well-rounded citizens for the 21st century.

In addition to the fun of decorating trees, going to parties, and going on a holiday shopping jaunt at the local mall at this time of year, the opportunity to spend some time in service to others is an activity that cries aloud for nurturing and attention.

As "Keepers of the Holiday Spirit," we adults know that opportunities in service to others are boundless. For example, we can feed the homeless at the River of Life Mission; pack activity bags for pediatric patients at Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children; collect rubber slippers and raincoats for the poor; and write letters to our soldiers in the Middle East and around the world.

And, we can make dolls for surgical patients at Shriners' Hospital for Children; adopt a city park to clean; sponsor a mini-craft sale with proceeds going to the Aloha United Way; or, put together packages of toiletries and socks for the Youth Outreach at the Waikiki Community Center. Indeed, any of these small projects offer a wonderful opportunity for youngsters to learn the responsibility and joy of commitment to service.

And, as "Keepers of the Holiday Spirit," we are also able to gently emphasize that what is learned during our blessed holiday season can be practiced 365 days a year.

Connecting children, students and adults to the community helps all of us develop gentleness, compassion, confidence and dignity. Data tells us that one's family experience affects a person's giving and volunteering behavior for life. And, a concerted joint effort between home and school portends a successful service experience for all its participants.

In their role as "Keepers of the Holiday Spirit," parents might also seek out service opportunities for the entire family. They need only to look to civic clubs like Soroptimist, Zonta, Rotary and Kiwanis where students are mentored and family members work side by side in community service projects.

Working with each other, parents, teachers, families and communities can take a strong laboring oar to imbue today's youth with an understanding that service to another is the greatest gift, not only because of what it gives to each human being, but also because of what it returns to each servant in personal satisfaction, character development and spiritual fulfillment.

Indeed, as "Keepers of the Holiday Spirit," it is not only a sacred honor to share the Holiday Spirit, it is incumbent upon everyone to be stewards of this tradition as it is passed to the next generation, year after year.

Betty White is the principal of Sacred Hearts Academy and is a trustee for the National Coalition of Girls Schools. She wrote this for The Advertiser.