Christmas is six weeks away, but it’s not too early to start getting in the Christmas spirit by blessing others. Like many churches around the country, my church is participating in Operation Shoebox, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse.The girls in our Girls Ministries program filled shoeboxes with gifts to be given to a boy or girl in a foreign country. For many of these children, it will be the first Christmas gift they have ever received. Each of our seven classes filled one or two shoeboxes. A few of them are depicted below.
There is still time for you to participate in this important ministry. You can use your own shoebox or pick up a decorated box at your local Christian bookstore or Chick fil A restaurant. If you use your own, please wrap it in Christmas paper. Fill the box with some toys, personal hygiene products, school and art supplies, hard candies, or other small gifts. Use your imagination and ask God to give your ideas for your box.
When the box is ready, put a rubber band around it and indicate if it is for a boy or girl and the appropriate age range. Drop off the box at a local collection point. Go to http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Drop_Off_Locations/ to find the drop off location nearest you. For more information on the ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, go to www.samaritanspurse.com
Box collection started today and goes through next Monday, November 19. It’s not too late, but time is running out. If you are able to participate, you will bless a child and share with them the true spirit of Christ. And in doing so, you will be blessed in return.
Acts 20:35, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Susan's Reflections 