We ushered in the Christmas season by continuing one of our Christmas traditions. Operation Christmas Child is a very well known endeavor taken on by The Samaritan's Purse. This organization, founded in 1970, is an evangelical Christian organization "...providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world." Operation Christmas Child is a projects where shoeboxes are packed with toiletries, toys and candies for needy children worldwide. These shoes boxes, for many, are the only gift they may receive for Christmas. More importantly, they may be the only signs pointing to a Savior in their world....the only thing pointing to the One True Savior, Jesus Christ. Our family has chosen to make it part of our traditions because, for us, Christmas is a season of giving. This year we elected to pack two boxes, one for a boy and one for a girl. We also chose the oldest age bracket, for we felt that the older children could be somewhat overlooked. We hope older children are impacted by the boxes and the Gospel, in part due to their more mature mind set. We let our children pick and choose what they thought each child would need and love. They enjoyed playing a very personal role in this activity. They love to shop!!! We then gather around as a family and intricately pack the boxes with these tokens of affection. When we have packed, unpacked, repacked and managed to get all of our gifts to fit inside these boxes, we lay our hands on these boxes and pray over them. Each of us gets to lift up the box, those that will transports them and the child who will receive them. We also get to track our boxes after they are shipped internationally. What a joy it is to give generously!!
Each person should give as he has decided in his heart--not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
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