The Gift of Giving

My good friend, Kristi just posted about how her family has turned average gift giving into something more over Christmas. I was inspired by her willingness to share and love reading her posts and those of other friends when they have such great ideas for traditions that are simple but can be life changing. So I thought I would share what we do every year, though we usually don't tell people. So in the past we struggled with the whole "Santa" controversy.

A few years ago we told the "all" kids the "whole truth." Some of the kids had questions others were confused, some were still too young to care or didn't even know who he was anyway since we didn't focus on him. Isaac and I told them the truth, that Santa was a real man named St. Nicholas and we shared with them this beautifully illustrated book put out by Voice of the Martyrs.

It is the true story about a gentle man's heart for God and how out of love for the Lord he would secretly slip money into poor families homes so their daughters could have a dowry and get married. After reading to the children about who he was and what he did for the people in his community, we were inspired. Not because he was Santa Clause, though some called him that, but because out of a love for the Lord he was spurred on to do good things for people in need. If there is ever a time to do that it is a Christmas. During a season that the worldly culture bombards people into spending... and getting, we should focus on giving in ways that really count or make a difference. Like buying a goat for a family in Africa or paying for a child to go to school for a year through Gospel for Asia, or paying for a new translation of the Bible to be made available in countries that don't have the Word of God of very little of it. To do this all the time, all year is truly a blessing to ones soul. It needs to become part of who we are and I want it to be a part of who my children are when they grow up... for so they have deeds but so their hearts are owned by God. The Bible teaches that a man can not have 2 masters. We can not love money and God at the same time. They best way to not "love" money is to give it away, not to whom ever, but for the Glory of God. My hope and one of motivations behind obeying in this way is that there will be a Legacy of Giving in my children's hearts. That as they grow up remembering how we as a family take a certain sum of money and praying and discussing how it should be used to help others, and then doing it, it will become their habit... which is formed by a transformed heart that is owned by one Master!

Jesus is the reason for the season. So let us give in the name of Jesus!


So here are some practical ideas and resources we have done over the years.
Gift Giving Catalogs:
World Vision
SIM
Gospel for Asia

Voice of the Martyrs has Sudan Action Packs this year. you can go shopping with your kids to buy the certain items on the list for other kids and ship it to VOM and they deliver them to Sudan children. We are doing this for the first time this year.

Another obvious idea is to find out if there is a family in need at your church and anonymously donate money through the church for them or send it in the mail. (Safeway gift cards are a great idea for people you don't know as well, but know they need food)

There are lots of refugee/ missions in cities all across North America... donating to them either financially or through serving is really impactful. We have done Project Angel Tree (a ministry to prisoners and their children), Operation Christmas Child, Youth Guidance Association in the past. All great experiences!

Another local idea is the Pregnancy Resource Center or sponsoring a room at My Father's House (either with another family or as a family)... you can furnish a room, and provide the basics for a room to help get a mother back on her feet. You get to be as involved in their lives as you want and they will allow you to be. This is a huge evangelistic opportunity. We had talked about it last year and need to do it. This is motivating me just writing this! Woo Hoo! Praise God!

I really want to wncourage you because our family has been so blessed during Christmas when the focus is not on us or the selfish desire to get more "stuff." it is great to listen to all the kids, of all ages, come up with ideas of what they want money to go towards. My goal is to encorporate more serving during the holidays as my children get older, but I would love your ideas on what to do that is out in the world, but safe with young kids.


Well these are just a few ideas... remember to go check out Kristi here to see what she is doing this year with Advent and her Jesus Stocking!

I would really enjoy to hear your ideas of things you have done or want to do!

May we a Be a Blessing because we have been so Blessed!