Christmas Charity Made Easy

A child's inner clock/calendar is different from an adult's. In a stuffy elementary classroom, summer vacation seems an eternity away. Likewise the wait time for Christmas is interminable. For children in third world countries the wait is more than lingering. The delights marking the birth of the Savior are minimal, and often non existent. Parents in third world countries love their wee ones but lack opportunity and resources to indulge them in even a diminutive way. This is due to political unrest or the abject poverty of the nation in which they live. This would be particularly sad to contemplate if not for the Christian relief agency Samaritan's Purse.

The President and CEO of Samaritan's Purse is Franklin Graham, son of Evangelist, Dr. Billy Graham. The ministry was founded in 1970 as a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization. The name is derived from the story of the "Good Samaritan" in Luke 10:29-37. Jesus told the story in response to this question, "Who is my neighbor?". The story depicts a man beaten and left on a rugged road to die. Of course if you know the story you know a citizen of Samaria saved the nearly dead man and provided for his care. Jesus at the end of this illustration gave instruction to "go and do likewise". Since it's inception Samaritan's Purse has had this commandment of Christ as it's mandate.

The hands of Jesus extend to the worldwide community through the efforts of Samaritan's Purse. The organization provides food, shelter, water and medical attention in war torn, and impoverished countries. Though the relief agency is best known for its ministry outside the United States, it is active in this country as well, attending to people in impossible circumstances. The agency delivers aid in the aftermath of horrid storms and rebuilds in Jesus' name.

What does all of this have to do with Christmas and waiting children? Samaritan's Purse has devised a way to involve lay people in the ministry to the hurting. You do not have to travel to a faraway country, and there is very little cost involved. Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan's Purse, and a shoebox allows you to significantly touch a child across the globe. Here's how it works and how you can be involved.

• Decide the age and sex of the child for whom you wish to provide a present.
• Find and wrap a shoe box (lid and bottom separately).
• Place in the box what you believe your child will enjoy. There are a few restrictions. A link to the Samaritan's Purse website is below.
• Place the lid on the box, and label for a boy or girl, also include on the outside of the package the age of the child (in addition, labelling whether the contents are intended for a cold or warm climate can be helpful.)
• Wrap the box for mailing and send it off to Samaritan's Purse, they will take care of the rest. A local church in your area may be participating as a drop off location.
• Finally, bask in the joy of giving to a child who otherwise would not receive a gift at Christmas.

Christmas charity could not be easier.