As you start or finish your shopping in the next couple of weeks, stop for a minute and think about your Christmas morning tradition. It probably involves unwrapping presents, right? Yes, I know the true meaning of the season, my Lord and Saviour was born and what an amazing gift He is! However, I'd be lying to you if I said our Christmas wasn't exciting because of giving and getting tangible gifts on Christmas, the thrill of Santa and all the hoopla!
Imagine what Christmas would be like if you didn't have anything to open. Some of us probably think it would be refreshing and much needed for our children who already have too much stuff! But aside from all of that, really, what would it be like?
Let me get to my point, because obviously I have one! Chad and I are trying to teach our children about giving and not always getting, about thinking of others and not just themselves. We're trying to teach them to serve and love others. It's tough at this age, when the world still seems to revolve around them, but we have to start somewhere. So, a couple of years ago, we told Luke about children all over the world who wake up on Christmas morning without any presents and without hearing about Jesus. We told him that our family wants to help those children. We then gathered some shoe boxes and filled them with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies and had him participate in Operation Christmas Child with us. Some of you may have heard of this and some maybe not. I encourage you to check out the link and read more about it.
I've been participating in OCC for at least 15 years and got Chad involved not long after that. We've been assembling shoe boxes together since before we were married. There are so many ways to help others in need---many that you are involved in and others we are involved in too. Operation Christmas Child just pulls at my heart though and I wanted you to know about it or remind you about it so that maybe you and your family could participate too. Please visit the OCC website for more information, but here's a quick run down of how things work. . .
1. get a shoe box from your house
2. decide if you want to fill the box for a boy or girl
3. decide what age range (you will see the options on the website)
4. purchase some items from the suggested lists on the website (small toys, hygiene items, school supplies, etc.) ---we always go to the dollar store and stock up!
5. enclose a check for $7 OR this year pay online and you can track your shoe box to its destination!! I can't wait to do that!!
6. deliver your shoe box(es) during National Collection week Nov. 16th-23rd----that's it!!
an example of a filled shoe box
Operation Christmas Child's mission is to "demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ."
Will you join us????
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