Operation Christmas Child

A yearly mysterious phenomenon is at the starting gate as many people around us just blow through the Christmas season with very little thought of why they are spending money that they don't have to buy gifts for people they hardly know (or even like :)

Others quietly question why.

This is one of the opportunities where Operation Christmas Child can help us . Let me tell you a few of the reasons why we do OCC:

1) It is an easy way to involve friends and neighbors into the real heart of Christmas. Two years ago we took fliers to everyone on our street and we collected nearly 20 gifts from folks in our neighborhood. With each one of those families we got to share why we were doing this and invite them to celebrate with us on our gift collection day (this year November 23rd) - and a few came. Our desire is that will be an annual event in our neighborhood.

2) It's a great way to participate as a family in giving away to someone in need. Our kids purchase the items for their own boxes (click here to find out more about filling boxes). They get to right notes and pray over those children who will receive them.

3) We get to participate in sharing the good news of Jesus around the world in dark places. With every box goes the gospel and a connection with a local church in that area.

4) We get a little slice of what Christmas is about. It's not a celebration of your birthday. It's not mine. It's about Jesus. What honors Him is when we give ourselves away.