Tuesdays are typically an off-kilter sort of day for our homeschool as we have piano classes right in the middle of the day. This week I decided to make good use of Tuesday and make it a special day for packing our Operation Christmas Child boxes.
After piano classes we stopped by the state park for a picnic lunch.
After lunch and some playground time, we headed off to the store to make purchases for our shoeboxes.
Each of my children are packing a box for a child of their own age and gender.
They picked out the hygiene items, toys, treats, and school supplies for their own boxes. I did help Jenny, my two-year old with her selections and offered advice for everyone else.
After a quick stop by Sonic for Happy Hour drinks, we make our way home to begin packing our boxes.
Our church provided us with ready made boxes and, really, all we had to do was pack them up.
If you don’t have pre-made shoe boxes like these, you can use an shoe box sized plastic Rubbermaid type box.
I remember the very first year I participated in Operation Christmas Child as a college student carefully wrapping the bottom and top of a shoebox separately before they could be packed and turned in to be collected.
We were also provided with “About Me” sheets to go in the boxes. There was space for the children to list and color in the state and country where they live and all of their favorites. My favorite spot was a place to fill in “I love Jesus because…” I loved reading the answers they gave!
Each of my children worked really hard on filling in and coloring in these sheets to go in their Operation Christmas Child boxes.
Even two year old Jenny worked on coloring in these pictures with great concentration.
I did help Jenny and Will fill out the information on their pages.
Why participate in Operation Christmas Child?
Scripture tells us that when we serve the “least of these” we’re serving Christ.
The children receiving these gifts through Operation Christmas Child are one of the “least of these” in our world today.
When we pray for them, give them gifts, send supplies and share Christ’s love we are serving Christ himself.
Also, I am thankful for the life that we have. We have a life of simplicity, ease, and comfort, especially compared to the rest of the world.
I don’t want my children to take any of the blessings that we have for granted.
Through participating in Operation Christmas Child, I am able to teach them to see the needs of others. I can talk to them of other children around the world who are in need…who would not otherwise have Christmas presents or, more importantly, hear about Jesus.
I can also teach them that they can make a difference in the lives of these children by serving and giving to them in an attitude of humility and prayer. Each of them prayed for their boxes and the children who would receive them.
Interested in participating in Operation Christmas Child and need help?
Check out these resources…
Operation Christmas Child on Pinterest
Find a Drop-off Location Near You
Are you participating in Operation Christmas Child this year?
Join the Operation Christmas Child Virtual Packing Party!
And add a Twibbon to your profile pictures to promote this to your friends.
Maureen says
Love the photos! My kids still need to do the coloring sheet. Our family has really enjoyed putting together the boxes. If you haven’t linked up yet, we have an OCC shoebox link-up: http://www.spelloutloud.com/2012/10/operation-christmas-child-boxes/
TheBargainBabe says
so sweet! we love occ!
Coley says
Love OCC!! We always include a card with our address in it in our box and earlier this year Noah got a letter from a child who received his box!