The Year I Gave Homework for Christmas
I’m a big reader. As a child, I had books hidden away everywhere — in the cushions of the couch, tucked under my brother’s car seat and stuffed into my pillowcase. So when I was about 10 years old, I decided I would buy every person in my family a book for Christmas. I pored over the Scholastic Books order form and found books for my parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins. I wrapped them and carefully placed them under the tree. On Christmas Eve, when we exchange gifts with my extended family, I was so excited to watch everyone open their gifts. There was one problem, though. Not everybody likes to read.
Continue Reading ›Valerie’s First Christmas
I was about 3 years old in my earliest Christmas memory. I had chickenpox, and because I was quarantined, my stepfather dressed as Santa to cheer me up. I don’t remember the gifts I got that year, but I remember feeling so special that Santa had made a house call to visit me. That memory surfaced recently when I read the story of Valerie, a little girl in Togo. Valerie’s first Christmas memory happened last year — because it was the first time she ever celebrated Christmas.
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Not Too Soon for Christmas
What does a Christmas celebration look like for our sponsored children? Do they have special Christmas traditions with their families? Do they decorate their homes with Christmas decorations? Do they attend special Christmas services at their churches? Because it can take months to get a letter to your sponsored child, it’s not too soon to write about Christmas now!
Merry Christmas!
On this day we hope you feel the presence of our Savior as we celebrate His grand love and His perfect will to move us closer to Himself.
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
– Matthew 1:23, NASB
The artwork was drawn in 2003 by Elaine Vidal, a 10-year old sponsored child.
Memories of Christmas in Tanzania
Christmas is the season to visit relatives far and close. As for Christians, many tie marriage knots around Christmas. Other church events, such as public declarations of Christian faith, also called confirmations or first communions, take place around Christmas.
Christmas in Burkina Faso
“When nights are cold and dawns much colder,” says 14-year-old Ozias, “When there is freezing wind, when our skin cracks and always looks dirty, when our mothers insist that we use lip balm, and when we do not have to wake up early for school, then we know it’s Christmas season!”
Christmas in Ghana
In Ghana, Christmas is a special occasion for both Christians and non-Christians, with celebrations revolving around large family gatherings and feasts
Give a Gift in Jesus’ Name
This Christmas, what if, instead of giving gifts that break, expire or get used up, you gave a gift that will last forever?
Christmas in October
It’s just the beginning of October, but mail to our sponsored children takes time to arrive, which makes now the time to be thinking about the Christmas letter you send to your child.
Christmas Ornament Life Lessons
Many people in Mexico are highly dedicated to crafts, but in the hills of Veracruz, there is a group of adolescents who have dedicated the last couple of months to the delicate craftwork of making glass Christmas decorations.
Living in Honduras: A Day in the Life of Alejandro
Like most boys his age, Alejandro enjoys playing soccer with his friends and always has time to play with his little brother. He looks forward to continuing his education and one day he wants to become a doctor to help the people of his community.
Seven Ways to Give of Yourself — In Every Season
Instead of focusing solely on places to send our money, let’s take a look into ways we can give of our time, money, and talents—in every season.
