Love in a Box!
WHAT WAS THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT YOU EVER GOT? The best presents aren't
always the most expensive or the biggest - the best presents are the ones that
are chosen carefully and given with love. I often don't leave myself enough
time to put a lot of thought into my Christmas shopping, but things are a bit
different this year. That's because at Lode Chapel we're taking part in
the Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child.
This involves us filling an ordinary shoe box with small toys, school supplies, sweets, and other gifts that can make a difference to needy children around the world. This small Christmas present sends a message of hope and makes the recipient child feel special and valued. Whether they are in a hospital, and orphanage, a refugee camp or in a homeless shelter they realise that someone, somewhere cares about them. Over the last 17 years more than 47 million children have received such gifts through Operation Christmas Child.
But the joy isn't just in the receiving - choosing gifts and then wrapping and filling a shoe box is a fun and rewarding activity for all the family - especially when you know these gifts are going to be used and treasured. But in order for the boxes to be ready to be hand delivered over the Christmas period we need to be filling our boxes now - and our final collection date is Sunday 18th November, when we shall be holding a special service at Lode Chapel (10.30am start).
Here are some ways that you are able to join us in Operation Christmas Child:
- Contact me (details below) and I'll send you a form with details of how to prepare your own box.
- Or visit the Lode Chapel website www.lodechapel.org.uk and click on the link on the homepage in order to download the form directly.
Alternatively, if you don't want to fill a box, but can provide any of the items below, then contact me so that we can arrange an opportunity for you to drop them off to me or to the Chapel.
- TOYS (something to love): bear, soft toy, tennis ball, finger puppet, jigsaw, yo-yo, building blocks, small musical instrument, trucks and cars, clip-on earrings, make-up, hair accessories etc.
- EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIES (something to do): felt pens, pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, rubber, colouring book, notepad, picture/puzzle book, chalk, pencil case, stickers etc.
- HYGIENE ITEMS (something to use): toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, comb, hair clips, bar of wrapped soap, flannel etc.
- OTHER ITEMS (something to eat or wear): sweets with sell-by date at least March 08.
I don't know about you, Christmas seems to be more and more commercialised these days. Somehow being involved in something like this helps us to recapture the real hope and joy which is found in the true meaning of Christmas - God's gift of His Son, Jesus.