“What
do my little darlings want for Christmas? Have they made a list? Let me know so
I can get them something special!” I can’t adequately describe the genuine love
and enthusiasm with which my mother, my children’s grandmother, asks this
question of me each year.
Grandma’s “little darlings” Haley &
Mandy, Christmas 2004
There’s a lot of discussion within our family about Christmas gift giving. We negotiate ceilings on spending and limits on the number of gifts each child should receive. Brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews and family friends – all are involved as we determine what and how much to give to one another at Christmas. Note: Grandmothers are the worst offenders when it comes to violating negotiated limits!
But it seems that every year the joy of giving overrides our negotiated limits and while the children appear to receive more than they need, the gift givers are the one’s who enjoy Christmas gift giving the most. From deep reservoirs of love, smiles overflow as the giver quietly but overwhelmingly receives the greatest gift, the joy of giving a loved one a gift desired and received.
There’s something that rings true within us when we remember what Dr. Luke recorded in the book of Acts, chapter 20, verse 35, the Apostle Paul’s encouraging words to the Ephesian church “…remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “
Recently, a family of six in Northern Virginia demonstrated this Christ like attitude of giving. Here’s what they wrote to me, “Our family met and prayed together tonight, and each of us has decided to give a part of our Christmas present money to the My Father’s House children…so that they can have some gifts to open this year. We want them to know the message of 1 John 3:1 – “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (NIV) We’re all so excited to take part in blessing these children and sharing the abundance of Christ with them. Many thanks for the opportunity to join with you in giving to them.” A check for $630.00 followed.
Dixon & Clement Opening Christmas Shoeboxes, Zambia 2007
In Zambia, there are thousands of grandmother’s looking after tens of thousands of their “little darlings” this Christmas, orphans who’ve lost their parents to HIV/AIDS and related diseases.
Few are the family members who feel the need to negotiate Christmas spending and gift giving limits for their orphaned relatives. Instead, a grandmother tells me in desperation that she has sent her 11 grandchildren “out to the streets to look for food”. Another honestly expresses the reality of her situation, “I can’t take another mouth to feed.”
The orphans Christmas list is short, but not simple:
Food.
Shelter.
Safety.
Good
health.
Education.
Family.
Hope.
Love.
This Christmas, will you pray with your family and consider what you can give to help Every Orphan’s Hope deliver the gift of hope to an orphan? Maybe you’re the one who will help one of these “little darlings” receive something special.
Orphaned Girls in Kabwe, Zambia
Their Christmas list is simple. They need hope. They need Jesus. They need you.
You can give your best financial gift this Christmas on-line at Every Orphan’s Hope or mail your check to: Every Orphan’s Hope, 3245 W. Main Street, Suite 235/332, Frisco, TX 75034.
Merry Christmas!
Hi Mr. Schneider!
My family is the same way when it comes to giving gifts on Christmas. Each year we say we will spend less on everyone, but once the time comes, we get too excited and go over the "limit". But this Christmas was extra special, because my mom and I went over to Ethiopia, finally, to get my two new little siblings my family has adopted! I don't know if you remember now or not, but I'm the girl that left a comment on your post "Butterfly Kisses" And you encouraged me to see how God's timing works. I was struggling with the adoption process, because it seemed to go so slow. But God's timing was indeed better than I could have imagined. We left for Ethiopia on the 10th, and arrived home on the 20th, right before Christmas, with our new jewels. =) While we were over there, we met a Christian couple that has feeding centers around Ethiopia (Yet again a major God thing to meet this couple) And my mom and I were able to go with them to a shelter, wash children's feet, and put new shoes on them! It was like giving them a Christmas present! We were so blessed in this. I love Africa, I have for a long time, and want to do as much mission work as I can there in the future. So this whole journey was the beginning for me, and I was able to do it with my family. Thanks again for sharing your stories, and testimonies with everyone, it encourages me each time, and excites me to see what some day I might be doing. In Christ, Morgan
Posted by: Morgan | December 29, 2008 at 05:06 AM