Is it not a little early to be talking about Christmas? Not if you are planning to bless a special little boy or girl with a Christmas gift through Operation Christmas Child! If you have never supported this amazing cause, I would challenge you and your sweetie to jump in this year and get involved! Not only is it a fun way to connect and give, but it will bring such joy to a child this Christmas.
Many churches serve as drop off points, so check with your church or churches in your area to see where you can drop off your boxes once they are completed!
For step-by-step instructions on how to craft your gift boxes, click here!
Why Operation Christmas Child?
Samaritan’s Purse not only seeks to give earthly treasures to boys and girls around the world, but they also seek to show these kids the love of Christ so that they may come to know Him as Lord and Savior. Though the gifts bring great joy to the recipients, the true gift is the gospel.
Recently, I watched a video of some children opening their boxes, and one man said, “This is Christmas! They have never received a gift before!” That struck me hard and brought tears to my eyes. We take Christmas gifts for granted, and sometimes get angry when we can only afford a few gifts each year; but, some of these kids have never received a single gift. Something that would seem common place to us (a toy car or doll) would likely be an absolute treasure to a child overseas. Let that sink in for a minute.
Operation Christmas Child is such a valuable, feel good, ministry.
Can I Really Call it “Connecting” if I Never Meet the Child Who Gets My Gift?
A million times YES! Though you won’t be there to hand your boxes to the children, you will be sending them physical blessings (the gifts), spiritual blessings (the chance to hear the gospel), and an emotional connection (if you choose to include a note to your child). Chances are you will never meet the children you bless this side of Heaven, but you are sending them the best kind of gift by taking the time to show them that God loves them. That is some major connecting – supernatural connecting!
Will this Experience Strengthen My Relationship?
It certainly can! When we take time away from our lives and focus on someone else’s needs – especially someone who can do nothing for us in return – we often find our relationships improving. That is, if both people are on board. When one person starts giving more time to a cause, and the other one hangs back, feelings of jealousy may surface. (“Why are you giving all your time to this ministry when you haven’t spent any time with me?”)
However, if both people are on board, giving your time to a worthy cause can be great for your relationship. A common goal, especially one with eternal rewards, brings couples together. When we sacrificially give to those in need, we realize that the drama in our lives is cheap and pointless. Giving feels better. The less we focus on ourselves, the less we demand that our needs be met. People who are more concerned with others’ needs than their own are bound to have more satisfying and productive romantic relationships. Makes sense to me! ~smile~
Plus, putting together Christmas boxes is a quality time experience! I went with a friend of mine last year to help her find pencil sharpeners for her boxes. It was the week the boxes were due and we could not find them anywhere! Apparently, everyone in town was buying up pencil sharpeners for their boxes! ~smile~ Thankfully, we finally found some at Michaels! She was so excited to send off her boxes, and hoped each one would go to the right child. Even the small part I played in the endeavor felt good, so this year I am planning to send my own! I hope you will join me!
Pray, Pray, Pray!!!
After the boxes are filled, Samaritan’s Purse requests that donators pray over the gifts before turning them in to their drop off location. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading. If you feel led to buy a certain toy or a certain article of clothing, listen to His still, small voice. You may never know how much of a blessing that specific gift will be to a specific child. It is so exciting to consider what God can do with our loaves and fishes (Mark 6:41-44)!
Prayerfully consider taking some time and a little money to bring a gift to a child overseas! If you cannot put together a box, consider giving a monetary donation or creating a box online! It truly is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)!
Will you and your sweetie put together some boxes for Operation Christmas Child this year?