bmblackmon@cableone.net

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       Operation Christmas Child 

As we reach the season of celebrating the birth of Jesus, it is easy to be too ‘busy’ for ministry: to not have time to attend church functions, to not have time to minister to the needs of others. It is easy to forget others less fortunate and easy to forget the children who do not know this Jesus we are celebrating. A special outreach of Samaritan’s Purse is designed specifically to remind us of this need and this ministry. You may have heard advertisements on the radio, and your church may even be involved. But lets focus on more than just a shoebox and look at the meaning of Operation Christmas Child. 

To learn more about the ministry, visit them on the web at http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.asp?section=Operation+Christmas+Child Here you will see that the ministry sends a message of hope to all children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and Christian literature. This program provides an opportunity for individuals of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands-on missions project that reaches out to suffering children while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas–Jesus Christ, God's greatest gift. In 2002, they collected over 6 million shoe boxes worldwide and distributed them to children in more than 95 countries. In fact, since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has hand-delivered more than 24 million shoe box gifts, valued at more than $480 million, to needy children in 120 countries. 

On their website are simple instructions on how to fill a shoebox, guidelines on appropriate things to enclose and things that are best not to include, forms to include, and guidelines for mailing. There are ‘fun facts’ about the collected boxes and great ideas for making this a hands-on, family event.

Forget the carols, the bells, the lights, and the tinsel. Take your kids shopping for a day and spend a day as a family discussing Christ and His love. Share that love together while preparing boxes for other children and teach your children to be grateful for their blessings. Allow God to move in your life and in your hearts and send that in a box to someone you’ve never known who will have a Christmas present and a word of Jesus because of your personal sacrifice. Don’t forget Jesus this holiday season and those less fortunate who haven’t heard of Him yet.

Merry Christmas!! 

Copyright 2003 by Michelle Blackmon