Really the title is misleading but I can’t think of anything catchy, and I want people to read this because I want people to join me in spreading Christmas joy around the world!  It has become popular for churches to participate in Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. Such a simple concept that makes a big impact around our globe. I started doing a box the year Samaritan’s Purse launched the program – 1993.  I don’t know how I learned about the program, but back then you had to pack it, then box it up for mailing and mail it to Samaritan’s Purse. Now, there are churches all about who have collection drives and you don’t have to mail them.  Just drop it at an official drop-off location. This makes it even easier to make a difference in the life of a child. Since 1993 over 100 million boys and girls in 130 countries have received Christmas boxes.  To use Rachel’s word, AMAZING!

For me, it is not about doing a ton of boxes. I am committed to my one box. I really think about and pray for the child that may get the box I send. It is my very small way of meeting the personal needs of a child, giving them something fun and hopefully, they will learn that the reason for the gift is to celebrate Jesus birthday. I don’t know why it is such a big thing for me personally. It just is.

I am very excited because modern technology has made it possible for me to follow my box around the world. Having already paid my donation for shipping online, I can follow the box and it is ready for drop off. You can find the list of drop-off locations online too.

Rachel does a box now too. You can identify her box by the Baby Sally knock-off.

She enjoys it but it is not in the same way I do.   My real true confession here is that while I know this is about serving Jesus and making an impact on a child, this is really all about me. This is a way that God speaks to me and makes me feel good and feel convicted. Convicted because we have so much. So many have so little. Gives me pause to think about the many blessings I take for granted. God does work in mysterious ways!

National Drop-off Week goes through Monday, November 25.  Maybe you are someone who would like to do a box.  It is a great way to teach children about giving to others and it doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s easy. Follow this link to Operation Christmas Child (OCC) to learn how you can be a part of something bigger than yourself and bigger than most of us can imagine. The process is simple:

• Choose a boy or a girl and an age.
• Look at the list of suggested items (school supplies, hygiene, accessories, toys, candy, etc.).  They even tell you what you cannot include and make sure to have at least one toy and some candy in the box.
• You can include a personal card/note/picture. We’re including this picture this year.

  

• Then box it up. You can purchase a plastic shoe box, get an OCC box at a drop-off location, or you can be like me and search for the just right shoe box (removable lid) all year so you can wrap it in Christmas paper. I always use Snoopy paper! Jonathan has great fun in teasing me because he never thinks I’ll be able to fit everything I buy into my box. Magically – it always fits though!
• Enclose a $7 check for shipping or pay online (I do this because I can follow my box!)
• Find a drop=off location and drop-off before the deadline on Nov. 25.
• Feel good about making a difference!

Can’t wait to see where my box is going and maybe just maybe, for the first time ever I’ll hear back from the child who receives my box. Boxing for kids makes my heart happy!