Christmas

This is the first year that Cathryn is part of a Christmas program. She was too young last year to do it. She joined the children's choir this year and they are doing the program 'Back to the Manger'. It is a very cute story about some kids who travel to the past and see baby Jesus' birth. The main message is 'love your neighbor', 'help others' and remember Christmas is about the birth of Jesus and not getting presents but giving to others in need. At church for the Wednesday night program they are memorizing the book of James. This also talks about loving your neighbor as yourself, and not showing favoritism. The kids this week did the boxes for Operation Christmas Child. This is a box of goodies that is mailed to another country to a child in need through Samartians Purse. The girls love to do this and chose what to put in them. This year we sent one to a boy and one to a girl. I remember the first year the girls did this they didn't want to part with what we bought, this year they did much better.

When the kids are older, I would love to not do presents but rather go as a family on a mission trip to help others. What stuff do we really need anyway? This Christmas season lets think on what the true meaning is....what Christ did for us and how we can be 'Jesus' to someone else. Did I mention Christmas is my favorite time of year?