Joshua and Meg just can’t get away from being a Sunday morning sermon illustration.  Yesterday, at Carrville Methodist Church, we learned about the ongoing effort for Operation Christmas Child.  The goal is to distribute boxes of Christmas gifts to children in underdeveloped areas around the world.  The presenter asked the kids to hold up different objects that may go in a box.  Joshua and Meg were a part of the demonstration team.

Samaritan’s Purse, who organizes Operation Christmas Child, has been at this for quite a while.  They do a great job of delivering the boxes where they are needed.  We are participating as a family and encourage you to do the same.  Find out more from their website.

Children hold up examples of a box of toys assembled by you and distributed by Samaritan’s Purse

If you wonder why the organisation is called “Samaritan’s Purse” the story from Luke is here.

³⁰ In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹ A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³² So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴ He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii^[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

³⁶ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

³⁷ The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”  Luke 10: 30-37

As we prepare for our Christmas in England, we pray that we might be a blessing to others.  The kids are excited to pick out gifts and toys for the shoeboxes our family will fill.  Why not find a Operation Christmas Child site near your family and fill a child’s heart with joy this Christmas.