“A person’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great people.”
Proverbs 18:16
I first posted “A Simple Gift” a year ago, and have decided to repost again as the deadline for the annual Operation Christmas Child Shoebox campaign is fast approaching (Collection Week is Nov. 18-24). Our church has taken a different approach to the shoeboxes this year. We have been collecting items all year (each month with its own theme) and in less than two weeks we will have a church-wide packing party to pack all the items into boxes. I’m excited about this! Would you consider packing a box this year, or having a packing party? There’s still time!
The season of gift-giving is upon us. I love this time of the year! Winter’s icy cold is settling in, yet Christmas lights twinkle and make all things cozy. ‘Tis the season! Which reminds me it is time to start shopping for the perfect gift for everyone on my list.
But first, before I get to the others, there is one special gift I must buy and pack first – my Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.
Did you know that a simple gift can make a difference for eternity? It can and it has, time and time again. One simple shoebox, thoughtfully packed with small items and prayer have changed lives. In thinking of how to explain it, I came up with this little acrostic. Here’s how packing a shoebox with Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child works:
SHOEBOX
S – Shoeboxes stuffed with such gifts as school supplies, toys, soap and socks, are a simple way to send, share, scatter the gospel of Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, as they sail across the seas,
H – helping local churches offer hope and healing to otherwise hard-hearted hearers who when handed a gift become happy and humble. The holy Word, the hallowed gospel, changes history creating harmony between heaven and fallen humanity.
O – Only one simple box can open the way for the obedient giver to provide gospel opportunities offering forgiveness and overthrowing darkness with the light.
E – Easy to pack, the shoeboxes allow eager equippers, like you and I, to enable local churches to evangelize the unreached to the ends of the earth offering everlasting life through faith in Emmanuel, so that God may be exalted.
B – The Body of Christ is working together to take boxes upon boxes by plane, by boat and by buggy to boldly proclaim the only begotten Son so they may believe and receive a blessing. All because of a box.
O – One little box. Opened by one child. Packed by one so far away. Would you spread the word, tell it on the mountain, or on
X – X, FB, IG, or wherever you post your exciting updates? Exclaim the excellent news! Then, would you pack one, two, or x shoeboxes?
Learn more by visiting the Canadian Samaritan’s Purse or the US Samaritan’s Purse websites. Make a way for the gospel and be blessed in the giving.
The Light for My Path 