Act of Kindness – Week #23!!

"…It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

   The Christmas season is in full swing all around us! It is truly one of my favorite times of the year full of family traditions, giving, receiving and focusing on/proclaiming God’s greatest gift to us, Jesus!!

 

*The act of kindness this week...show kindness by giving to a child in need or to a child that is not expecting a gift from you this Christmas!!

  Below are some examples of organizations and ways to help give to a child this December. It makes me happy that it was not hard to find or think of these! I simply went onto local radio station’s websites and saw what organization they were supporting this Christmas!

91.1 WBGL and 99.1 Joy FM – Compassion International (sponsor a child and gift catalog) http://christmas.wbgl.org and www.joyfmonline.org

Compassion International’s Mission Statement: “Releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. In response to the Great Commission, Compassion International exists as an advocate for children, to release them from their spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enable them to become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults.” www.compassion.com

93.7 The Bull – Youth in Need (gift drive) http://www.937thebull.com/articles/boatload-of-toys-410442/collecting-toys-for-st-louis-kids-12977440/

Youth In Need’s Mission Station: “To build on the strengths of children, youth and families so they find safety, hope and success in life.” www.youthinneed.org

98.1 Y98 – Toys for Tots (gift drive) http://y98.cbslocal.com/toys-for-tots-home/

Toys for Tots’ Mission Statement: “The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.” www.toysfortots.org

Samaritan’s Purse International Relief - Operation Christmas Child (fill shoe boxes)

Samaritan's Purse’s Mission Statement: “Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ.” http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

*My experience with the act of kindness…My church and I participated in the "Christmas Angel Mission 2014" sponsored by Mission Gate Prison Ministry in St. Louis! "Christmas Angel Mission 2014 is designed to bless children of inmates and ex-offenders with gifts, the Gospel and an invitation to weekly Angel Club meetings. This is accomplished by giving gifts by means of a Christmas party held in St. Louis. A fellow-up ministry is then set in motion and continues all year long. Every Friday night these "little Angels" are invited to Mission Gate Bible instruction, singing, praying and good old fashioned fun, food and fellowship." This year, I chose a four year old boy to give gifts too! I also participated in "Christmas Child" at my work and helped buy gifts for a 6 month old baby girl who is in a foster home!

    

         

                               


  There can be so much kindness and love shown when we do not focus on our own wish lists this Christmas and instead participate in helping give gifts to a child in need or to a child that is not expecting a gift from us! Some people might ask "why give gifts this Christmas to some one outside your family and friends?" The answer is more than just showing kindness and love! I hope that through this act of kindness we can help also direct other people's focus on Jesus being the reason for the Christmas season! God's greatest gift to us, Jesus, was born on Christmas day so that later He could die to save His people and give them eternal life! What a marvelous gift...now we should freely give!!

Please comment below with your own experience with this act of kindness! I would really enjoy hearing about it!!