Your generosity is not only a blessing this Christmas but all year long. Today, as you celebrate the birth of our Savior we hope you feel the depth of His love and gratitude — and ours — for the ways you have cared for these little ones around the world…

Merry Christmas!

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

When Christmas arrives, we think of safe travel or being home with family — being together in a safe place. At Christmas I also think about our Compassion child development centers.

For me, our child development centers represent a “safe place” for kids. If you’ve traveled where we work, you know exactly what I mean.

I can’t tell you how much you feel the atmosphere change when you walk through the door into one of these centers.

It may be dangerous, or dirty, or chaotic on the outside, but it feels like an island — like a refuge — inside.

What did the stable feel like for Mary and Joseph? It certainly wasn’t the sanitary place you envision for childbirth. It wasn’t “home.” And it wasn’t a welcoming hotel room.

But for the night, it became safe. It became a refuge. And a child came out of it who will ultimately rule the world when He comes again.

All from a safe place. All from a refuge. Maybe even — holy ground.

This Christmas I want to thank you for all you do to make possible our “fifty-five-hundred-plus” safe places for children. A refuge from the street, from abuse, or from just being ignored.

Your sponsorship allows for the equipping of safe places that children deserve. Holy ground for them.

I hope that Christmas for you and your family is a refuge — enjoying good food, getting great presents, and getting some rest!

And when you worship this Christmas, and when you read about the stable and manger — think “safe place.” And remember how pleased Jesus is when children are welcomed and protected and loved.

Merry Christmas!

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

As I entered the village community center in Inigodawela, these words rang out loud through the sound system,

“Testing, 1, 2, 3… Testing 1,2,3…”

This was the location for the today’s Christmas celebrations. Inigodawela, Chilaw, lies in the Northwestern Province, almost 85 kilometers from the capital, Colombo. Inigodawela sits quietly between the Negombo lagoon and vast coconut estates.

Stage lights were flickering and decorations were sitting proudly on the stage. Inigodawela Child Survival Program staff members were rushing to and fro trying to get things completed in time to start their Christmas program.

Trickling in through the two main doorways were mothers enrolled in our Child Survival Program. Right behind them were their husbands and the rest of their families. This day’s celebration was for the entire family, young and old.

One mom, Selena shares,

“This is my first Christmas party. I am so excited, we have never been to anything like this. My entire family is here. My husband and children are taking part quite a few times.”

There were smiles on each face that appeared through those doors. Some were already dressed for their parts in the celebration. Some carried large bags with their costumes.

The program was organized by the Child Survival Program moms and their husbands. They had spent long evenings at the church planning this big event. Enthusiasm had being building up since the beginning of November.

The hall was buzzing with chatter as it filled up. Excited children sat impatiently. Some were too young to know what was going on. But they seemed to sense the joy and excitement in their mothers faces’ as they, too, beamed.

Walking to the back of the stage, behind the large red curtains were presents and bags filled with gifts. Presents were wrapped in beautiful wrapping paper. Names were written clearly on each of them.

Baskets were filled with milk powder, cake, jam, sugar and a few sweets. Each pregnant mother was getting a gift of maternity dresses, and the other mothers were getting a skirt and a blouse each. The babies in the Child Survival Program were getting clothes and a toy, and their brothers and sisters got similar gifts. Fathers were given sarongs (a sarong is a large tube or length fabric that is worn by men in Sri Lanka).

Pastor Palitha serves at the Kithu Sevana Church in Inigodawela, and started off the Christmas celebration by saying,

“It is great to see all of you here today. This is a special day for us. It’s a special day for you, because this is your celebration. This was organized by you, and I have no doubt that this will be a great day of celebration.”

The program started with everyone standing for the national anthem as two young boys brought the national flag on to the stage. Then there were dances, dramas and one song after the another. Many songs were from the local cinema scene, and they each spoke of the love of a mother for a child.

Among these songs was one sung by Selena’s husband;

“You lost your mother’s love when she left you to seek greener pastures, but I am with you, don’t you see? I am there right next to you always, or is it just motherly love and not fatherly love and affection you recognize.”

As these words rang through the hall, there was silence, even among the children.

This father may have known it or not, but he had touched the hearts of all who where here this day. Drinking, extramarital affairs, divorce and alcohol abuse are large issues in these areas. A few of the fathers in the room were alcoholics and not involved with their children. But as this song rang out, the father next to me, holding his baby, had tears in his eyes.

Selena is a mother of four children and she lives near the lagoon. Her house is very simple. One large bed and a couple of chairs, one little mirror and a small place of worship (a small statue of Buddha and a clay lamp) makes up the living space in this mother’s home. Her husband was in the army for some time before he left to be with his family. Selena’s elder daughter was adopted by her brother.

With a hint of sadness in her voice Selena explains,

“My brother and his wife couldn’t have children and I was not in a position to look after her. We were much poorer then, so I gave her to my brother.”

Selena and her husband are active participants in the Child Survival Program. They are one of 40 families represented at this community hall, this day.

Laughter filled the hall as children and adults performed comedies, mimicking those from their own families. Stories of love, songs of friendship echoed. Children watched in awe as they saw their parents sing, dance and act, something very different from what they had witnessed at home.

Vasanthi sat with her little baby, Sasini, in her lap. Both watched with a smile as Vasanthi’s husband and Sasini’s father, Ranjith, acted in a comedy for which he and his team had been practicing from the time this event was organized.

A few chairs away Shashikala was enjoying the drama, while her little baby boy, Hirun, played with his own little hands, which seemed to be a little more interesting to him!

It was time for the presents to be given. Mothers, some carrying infants, went on to the stage as their names were called out. Smiles were seen on every face as they received their gifts.

As I walked through the families present, taking pictures and speaking with them, one thing resounded from almost all of them;

“We are so happy today, we are truly happy beyond words.”

I think these words alone are enough to sum up the success of this program, which was organized by these families, for these families.

There is a definite change and impact in their lives since the Child Survival Program started. For me, an outsider to this community, the change is evident. From my first visit to this remote village up until now, I have witnessed and heard about the change that is breaking forth within these mothers and their families. There is a greater power within these families, a greater power working through them.

Christmas is a time for families and laughter and sharing. We provided the mothers and their children with special Christmas gifts this day. But that is not where this story ends; it’s just a beginning.

These Child Survival Program participants taught us that no matter what their lives were like, there is a change, and they are not just people looking to receive. They are families and individuals who are looking to share.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

Not too long ago, I shared with you about my frustrations with Christmas, specifically that I don’t want wish lists to be the focus (and despite my best efforts, my almost-5-year-old has a nasty case of presentitis).

Today, I want to consider a big question: What does the Bible say about giving?

I realize that’s a pretty open-ended question, one that could go in any number of directions, so I want to focus on the issue of motivation. Why do we give? What is the purpose of giving? It should be no surprise that the answer is wonderfully simple and unimaginably complex, all at the same time.

For many of us, particularly those of us in the Compassion world, it’s really tempting to point and look at the needs of the world and say,

“That’s why we give. We’re giving so we can bless others.”

And this is a good motivation, but biblically it’s not the starting place for God’s people. We also have to remember that generosity is about so much more than money; it’s about our entire lives — giving of our time, talent and treasure.

And if that’s the case, our giving has to be motivated by something far greater than need.

Acts 2 helps us understand our primary motivation. (By the way, much of what you’re about to read is adapted from a book I wrote recently — so if you’ve read it and are concerned about plagiarism, don’t be.) Here, Luke describes the believers as having,

“all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:44-47 (ESV)

This is incredible to read, isn’t it? So strong was the bond between the believers that they had a great desire to meet one another’s needs. Nothing was off-limits. Homes and lives were open.

People were giving away what they had, exchanging their earthly treasures for treasure in heaven. It’s amazing to consider, possibly because the whole concept is so foreign to those of us living in the Western world.

What’s going on in this picture of the early church? Was it some form of proto-communist experiment? There is no record of anyone suggesting that they do this, much less commanding it.

Despite what some who perhaps hold to a more creative view of possessions might suggest, personal property was not seen as wicked or sinful in the early church. Indeed, even during this time, many believers continued to own homes where they would meet (see v. 46), and Acts 5:4 indicates that believers were under no obligation to relieve themselves of all their earthly possessions.

So why this outpouring of generosity? What compelled them to give of themselves in this way?

It was motivated by the grace of God. It was a spontaneous response to God’s lavish generosity toward them in not holding back the most precious treasure of all — free and unmerited salvation offered by the Father through the Son.

What’s fascinating is that this is the pattern throughout the Bible: God’s grace motivates generosity in His people for the purpose of glorifying God.

In Genesis 14:19-20, Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth of his spoils, but there is no command to do so. It’s motivated by Abram’s love for God and his conviction that Melchizedek is God’s special servant.

Likewise in Exodus, as plans are made for the construction of the tabernacle, God says, “From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me” (Ex. 25:2). Moses then tells the Israelites, “Take from among you a contribution to the Lord. Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the Lord’s contribution.” When the people returned, they had to be restrained from giving, as what they offered was far beyond what was needed (Ex. 35:5, 36:5-7)!

Even as we turn to the New Testament, we see that the pattern continues and even becomes more overt. In 2 Corinthians, which contains perhaps the most exhaustive instruction on New Covenant giving, we read about a similarly generous offering. There, Paul commends the Macedonians to the Corinthians, saying that though they were in serious affliction and extreme poverty, they gave in an overflow of generosity according to their means (cf. 2 Cor. 8:1-12).

Paul was taking up a collection (as he mentions in nearly all his epistles) to help the impoverished Jerusalem church, and the Macedonians responded with overflowing generosity. Paul seeks to encourage the Corinthians to do likewise, explaining:

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, ‘He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.’

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” 2 Cor. 9:6-12 (ESV)

Without getting into an extremely in-depth examination of the text, we can see that Paul is laying out a number of straightforward principles that should guide how we give, both positive and negative.

Give generously. Give cheerfully. Give according to what you’ve decided in your heart. Give thankfully.

But what’s most interesting is the negative principle he offers in verse 7: Do not give under compulsion. Giving out of a sense of guilt or external pressure isn’t generosity. It’s extortion, and God will have none of it. Guilt doesn’t glorify God, Paul says in essence.

All of our giving is to be from a generous heart, cheerfully offered. Guilt and obligation don’t produce this kind of heart, but the Holy Spirit does.

Grace produces generosity as men and women are reminded of the gospel — that Jesus, though He was rich became poor on our behalf, lived a sinless life, died on the cross, offering up His life for ours, and rose again to give us the gift of new life.

That’s the kind of attitude toward giving that glorifies God. That’s the purpose to which we are called as cheerful givers. And truly, there’s no better motivation.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

Thursday, December 16, 2010 was a special day in Saksida, a little suburb of Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso. In this neighborhood, not far from the noisy traffic of the town, time seemed to have stopped.

In the community Bonheur Ville (Town of Happiness), wonderful praise music rose from the Saksida Assemblies of God Church. The parents, children, and staff were jubilant.

The presence of children in church that Thursday was not something unique; they were accustomed to coming to the child development center on Thursdays. Yet their colorful uniforms, along with the attendance of parents and officials, indicated that something special was taking place. The center was celebrating Christmas for the very first time.

Saksida Assemblies of God Church began its partnership with Compassion in 2010. When Eglise Evangélique Baptiste de Toega Koudougou started 118 needy children were registered; among them are 32 sponsored children.

The 2010 Christmas celebration was special for at least two reasons. First, the child development center had begun just four months earlier. As a new center, Christmas was an opportunity to show parents how much we care for their children.

The second reason was that many Compassion-assisted children come from Muslim or animist families and did not know what Christmas was. Even for those who are Christians, the word “Christmas” has almost never been linked to such celebration.

After a few speeches started off the celebration, the floor was given to the children. They presented what they had been working on for the past month.

In front of the parents and guests, children showed their artistic talents with ballet dances and songs. Boys were in jean uniforms and girls wore colorful dresses and skirts. They honored the Savior with their voices and dances.

Then their representative, Ruth, stood in front of the audience and spoke. She thanked the audience for the nice celebration and blessed all of them.

Soon it was time to eat and drink. Plates were filled with macaroni and meat, a meal much appreciated by the children. Hands and forks raced from dishes to mouths.

While eating, the children’s minds focused on another part of the celebration: the time when the children would receive gifts from Santa Claus. They could wait no longer.

Finally, cookies, candies and popcorn were offered and each child received his share with satisfaction. Large smiles beamed from their faces. For many of the children, it was the very first Christmas gift they had ever received.

Parents were amazed. How can people living far away decide to support children they do not know and provide them with such gifts to celebrate Christmas? This was the kind of question rushing through the minds of parents as they witnessed the celebration.

One mother shared,

“I am very happy for the Christmas celebration today. My prayer is that next year, things will be better. May God help sponsors and donors to continue their support.”

Handshakes and hugs ended the celebration, with children looking with excitement to next Christmas when they can joyfully celebrate again.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

Do you sometimes feel so overwhelmed by the issue of poverty that it stifles your ability to act?

I sure relate, but action is the very thing Jesus calls us to do. To share the love of Christ not only in our speech, but through our actions.

He wants us to DO something.

I’m continuously encouraged and inspired by the stories of what sponsors are doing to change the lives of children … and the transformation that has taken place in their own lives because of it.

“But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.” — 1 John 3:17,18 NASB

When I was involved with the creation and implementation of the Christmas 2011 Gifts of Compassion gift catalog, I heard about two young sponsors who put their faith into action by rallying others and meeting tangible needs through the catalog.

Here are their stories.

A Christmas Gift Catalog Party
by Bethany Fristad, third-year student at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa

In my small town of Sartell, Minn., I hosted a fundraiser to promote the Gifts of Compassion catalog and raise money for safe drinking water and other items in the catalog. I also gave 100 percent of the admission proceeds to Compassion.

There were 29 participating small business vendors at the fundraiser, including Scentsy, Mary Kay and Pampered Chef. I also set up Christmas trees with images of the gift items from the catalog as ornaments.

More than $2,000 was raised, providing 32 families in developing countries with safe water for life as well as soccer balls, goats, garden seeds, Bibles, mosquito nets, school supplies and baby formula.

At the event, a young mother holding her baby was moved to tears as she purchased a $20 item on the tree to provide another baby across the world with formula. The thought of her own child in those devastating circumstances and without food urged her to make her purchase.

Two-year-old Caden loved the Compassion Water of Life safe water systems! He was so fascinated with how they worked. Not only did he show enthusiasm for the filtration system, but he grabbed a stack of pamphlets and showed no fear as he walked up to strangers and said, “Water.”

I love how God has brought Compassion into my life, but to be successful in this fight against poverty we must all do our part to make sure children do not go hungry, that they have the opportunity to be educated, to dream, and to just be kids.

God is working and He wants us to be involved. He wants our hearts to break for what breaks His so that we can do HIS work with OUR hands.

We can do the small things to show God’s great love at work. Simple things done with great love will change the world.

Your service power is not based on who you are, but on who Jesus is through you. When we offer ourselves to others, we offer ourselves to Christ.

Not Your Everyday Birthday Party
by Noah Gerdes

When my mom and I were planning my 12th birthday party, mom asked me if I would like to have my friends bring gifts for me or if I’d rather have them donate money to buy soccer balls through the Gifts of Compassion catalog.

I currently sponsor a 6-year-old boy, Ismael, in Ecuador.

It wasn’t hard at all to decide to have a party that wasn’t all about me. I have too much of my own stuff, and I wanted to help others who don’t have as much.

At the party, my mom and I made a soccer ball out of newspaper and twine to show my friends what children in some developing countries might have to use when they play soccer.

After my mom talked with my friends about the homemade ball, we played a game of soccer with it. Our game lasted only a couple of minutes because the ball quickly came apart!

My friends thought the helping children in need was a fun idea. I hope it helped them realize that everything is not about us.

One of my friends wondered how often children in other countries must have to stop their games in order to fix their homemade soccer balls.

My parents and I plan to visit Ismael and my family’s other sponsored child, Kassandra, on a sponsor tour in February. I’m bringing a new soccer ball to Ismael.

It’s going to be fun to see how he will react when I give him his own soccer ball!

My friends and I raised enough money to purchase 15 soccer balls through Compassion’s Christmas gift catalog.

I probably would have had this kind of birthday party even if I wasn’t Ismael’s sponsor, but because I do sponsor him, it helped me make my decision more easily because I know what his situation is like.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Bethany Fristad is from Sartell, Minn., majoring in communication arts at Wartburg College in Iowa. After she graduates, she plans to work in the nonprofit field and continue being a strong advocate for Compassion!

Noah Gerdes is in the 6th grade in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., where he enjoys reading and playing football, basketball, soccer and the saxophone. He also keeps very close track of the statistics for all 32 NFL teams!

Kaley works in constituent marketing for Compassion U.S.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

My birthday falls during the Christmas season. It seems fairly common for those of us with December birthdays to grumble a bit about our birthdays being overshadowed by the holidays.

December is when everyone is buying presents and our resources get stretched with purchases and preparations and food and travel. So we grumble about birthday presents being wrapped in Christmas paper or being designated “for birthday AND Christmas.”

And, being a twin, I always threw in the jab of one gift being labeled for birthday and Christmas — to share!

When I was growing up, my birthday presents were dolls and games and toys, with some occasional article of clothing thrown in. They were usually somewhat frivolous things; there was nothing I absolutely needed.

While I didn’t expect the same would be true for Kayirangwa, the child I sponsor in Rwanda, given her circumstances, I still expected that the birthday money I designated for her would go toward one or two small “just for fun” items.

A month or two after her 9th birthday, Kayirangwa wrote that the birthday money I sent her had gone to buy a chicken to provide eggs for her family. She was so excited about that chicken!

The following year I sent birthday money again, and received a picture of my sweet Kayirangwa with a goat intended to provide milk for her and her family.

At this time I was also supporting Ambar. She wrote that my birthday gift had been used to buy socks and shoes for her and her brother — and how happy they both were to have them.

No dolls. No games. No toys. Instead, these children cheerfully received items they needed and things they could share with their families. I had never considered myself particularly selfish, but their thankfulness at receiving these necessities for themselves and their families has humbled me.

Recently, the timing of birthdays came up again and a friend asked if I felt slighted by having a birthday so close to Christmas. I confessed,

“I used to think so. But then I sponsored Kayirangwa. I have always had a thousand times more than needed. I have never been slighted.”

My Compassion children humble me and teach me the meaning of thankfulness — and the right way to think of birthdays.

Now I tell family and friends that if they have an inkling to get me something for my birthday, an email will suffice. Give the money to a child in poverty and bless an entire family.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Amy Brooke has been a Compassion sponsor since 2007. She currently sponsors Kayirangwa in Rwanda and Litzy in Ecuador, and corresponds with Jose in the Dominican Republic. She has a personal blog at www.amylbrooke.blogspot.com

If you’re interested in writing a guest blog post, we are happy to consider publishing it. Read our guest blog post guidelines.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

It’s the middle of December, a midmorning in the middle of the week. Most people are working, but at this hour of the day the church is full. What’s going on?

Wind carries the sounds of songs and shouts of joy from the Hermon Baptist Church that can be heard from a block away.

Once inside the building, happy faces, balloons and nice decorations complement the sounds heard from the distance. There is a celebration, a Christmas celebration for children of the Fe y Esperanza Student Center located in Managua, Nicaragua.

Activity begins with a devotional time where the word of God is shared with the audience to emphasize the real meaning of Christmas.

The event also includes a fine display of talents from children who sing, perform drama, and other activities. Parents are proud of their children’s performances and applause follows each presentation.

All the plans for this final activity of the year are a great success. The time spent in planning, preparing the budget and organizing everything is well worth the final result.

The Christmas excitement began a few weeks ago when each registered child attended a toy and clothes exposition where children could select from among a variety of items to indicate what they wanted for Christmas. Once selected, presents were marked with children’s names and codes to be set aside for the day of giving the presents.

Weeks passed and the big day is finally here. This morning is Christmas for the children. They will soon have in their hands the long-awaited toy or clothes they chose.

The older ones might wait until Christmas day to open or wear their gift, but the little ones will open their presents as soon as they leave the center. Either way, all registered children, sponsored and unsponsored, are pleased with what they receive.

After the devotional time, children stand in lines by age to receive the presents, a little snack and candies. All of them go home happy.

Development center director Lidia shares,

“Traditionally, the church celebrates Christmas with a special service on Christmas day. Dinner is served for all families that want to stay at church after the service and everyone fellowships until midnight.

For children in general there is a toy fair. The church gives children play money starting in September. This is given for attendance at church services, participation in class, good behavior, bringing a guest and other requirements.

In December the collected play money will serve to ‘buy’ toys, imitation jewelry, clothes, etc., that church leaders have gathered from donations in the previous months. Children who attended church regularly have more ‘money’ to ‘buy’ at the toy fair.”

It’s a fun activity for the children and their parents. Children can get as many things as they can afford with the amount of play money they have. Whatever children get from the toy fair becomes a new item for their Christmas.

No matter how difficult their situations might be at home, children can always expect their present.

While adults are immersed in problems and crises, for children there is no crisis that can take away their joy for the arrival of Christmas.

“Christmas is a special date for children when they expect a gift, something very important for them because they know it comes from their sponsors.”

Taking into consideration the living conditions of these children, none of them could get a nice present like the one received at the center; that is why older children understand and value the help received from the student center and church.

Parents are also aware of the benefits and value the support received from the center.

Many of them are self-employed and do not have enough income to cover the weekly family expenses.

That’s the case of Thelma, mother of a registered child. She is sometimes employed washing and ironing, and her income changes from week to week.

Although she only has one child under her care, hardships come her way.

“An average of what I make a week is $13.00 dollars. This is not enough to cover all of the expenses of my son and me.”

People in the community are mostly self-employed (selling tortillas, street vendors, small grocery store owners), or are domestic service or factory workers. Lidia tells us,

“There are many homes of registered children that have a very difficult economic situation, which cannot afford to buy all products of basic need, neither a gift like the one they received today.”

This year is not the exception for families who cannot buy a present for their children; however they find relief with the student center. Thelma shares more,

“They do an efficient job. I am thankful with God for giving us the opportunity to have our children here. It’s a great help and all children of the community are benefited with the center.”

In the middle of it all, the meaning of Christmas is of great importance. The child development center staff and church leaders make sure that each child understands the reason behind the presents.

Thelma’s son Kevin wants us to know,

“Christmas is a family time and also a celebration that Jesus was born.

I am also more than thankful with my sponsors for all they have done for me, because of the support they send me, because they write to me.”

This joyful time is made possible because of the generosity of many people around the world that have the willingness in their heart to share with others a little of what they have.

To them, Lidia expresses,

“Thank you to all the men and women who bring joy to many homes. This blessing means something great for us.”

The morning ends with a sense of satisfaction; everything went well. Our child development center staff begin cleaning the work area as soon as each one finishes giving out presents. The place looks as if nothing has happened; it becomes quiet, nice and clean.

There are no more sounds of music or children shouting. Little by little the staff begin to take a seat; this year’s joyful Christmas celebration has finished.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates

I have a confession to make: I’m not a huge fan of Christmas.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I hate celebrating Jesus’ birth or spending time with family and friends or enjoying delicious turkey dinners. It’s the pressure that comes around gifts.

I like to get people gifts, especially when I know it’s something that will make them smile.

I bought a copy of Beauty and the Beast for my oldest daughter awhile back, and she threw herself on the floor and squealed with glee (ah, to be 4 again…).

My wife and I went to Chicago to attend a conference back in April, so I got tickets for an architectural tour of the city and she was thrilled (she loves history and city planning).

My youngest daughter and I went to Starbucks and I bought her a cookie and she was ecstatic (it’s so easy to please an almost-2-year-old).

So Christmas is easy when it comes to other people. But I get really uncomfortable when people ask me what I want for a gift.

Deciding what to ask for isn’t easy in part because I’m in that stage of life where if there’s something I really want, I can get it myself. Adding in my specialized interests — I am the weirdo who asked for a primer in biblical Greek and Spurgeon’s autobiography for Christmas — I typically find myself scrambling to pull together something that isn’t going to result in headaches or expense.

One of the things my wife and I decided early on in our marriage was that we wanted Christmas to be about more than getting — we didn’t want wish lists to be the focus.

As we read the scriptures, we saw these reminders that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35) and that “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). Those reminders really hit home for us.

That’s what we wanted Christmas in our family to be about — to remind ourselves of this truth and teach our children the same.

There are a few ways we’re doing that:

One way is that we look for needs that we can practically meet right here in our community, whether giving to the local food bank or doing something as simple as buying a cup of coffee for a stranger.

Another way is taking an opportunity to give to ministries that have been a blessing to our family and are helping move the gospel forward.

And a third way is looking for ways to bless the global poor with gifts like what you’d see in the Gifts of Compassion catalog – giving tools to help others earn an income, stay healthy and get an education.

• Give a Gift of Compassion: United States | Canada | Australia

These may not be mind-blowingly original ideas, but they’ve really helped us relieve the pressure that comes around gifts as we focus on others rather than ourselves.

My Account l Sponsor a Child l Help Babies and Moms l Crisis Updates