“Christmas time is here. Happiness and cheer. Fun for all that children call, Their favorite time of the year!”
Ah, yes . . . Christmas time is here, or at least many believe so; we celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday, many of us put up our Christmas trees (guilty as charged!) and today people are out shopping for bargains. Christmas time is here and while children are likely to focus upon the gifts they hope to receive . . . as for many children it is their favorite time of year, I believe it is the ideal time to redirect their focus to giving to others! So . . . here are my Top Five Reasons for Focusing Our Grandchildren upon Giving at Christmas . . .
- Jesus is our Example . . . He gave to us - John 15:13 - "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (ESV)
- Jesus told us to give to others . . . when we give to others, we are choosing to obey Jesus - John 15:12 - "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (ESV)
- Giving to others brings glory to God! - Matthew 5:16 - "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (ESV)
- It pleases God - Hebrews 13:16 - "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." (ESV)
- It shows, by what we do, God's love is in us! - 1 John 3:17 - "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?"
These are just five, of many, reasons for us to focus our grandchildren upon giving to others at Christmas. So, how may your grandchildren give to others? Consider the following ideas . . .
- Plan a new/gently used coat drive - have your grandchildren collect new and gently used coats to give to those in your church and community who are in need of a warm coat. On your coat distribution day, have your grandchildren bake cookies to add with your gifts of warm coats.
- If you have a family in need in your church, get a gift wish list from them and have your family work together to get the items on the list. Plan a gift wrapping party and let your grandchildren pray for the family who will receive their gifts - be prepared to keep the family's name secret, but children may serve others, even if they do not know the exact names of the people to whom they are giving.
- Go on-line and look up World Vision's Gift Catalog at this link. Sit down with your grandchildren and select a gift for which they are willing to work and earn money to purchase - I especially like ducks, bunnies and bees as they are all affordable and quickly provide resources for the families who receive them. Then send the money when earned and spend time praying for the family who will receive their gift - and most importantly, for the people who give the gift to be able to share the Good News of Jesus with them.
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