The Time of Year for Giving

Take a look at this crew!!!! A picture is worth a thousand words, I'll tell ya!

This year, we were priveleged enough to participate in what I would hope may become a holiday tradition. Throughout the year, our Bible class collects money to be used to help other families from time to time. Christmas is usually our chance to really go "all out" with the funds we have collected. Since the family that we chose to help had several children in it, we decided to let OUR kids have a part in the shopping. They had a blast! They were each given cards with the kids' names and wish list on them, and with a "budget" in mind, they set off to shop! You should have seen them!! It was so neat to see them getting excited over buying for others, and not ONCE did I hear any of them ask for something for themselves!!
After the purchases were made, we headed back to the church building to wrap the gifts. They worked so well together. When we were done, we all went to the matinee of "Alvin & The Chipmunks" while another mom and her son delivered the gifts. The kids were so excited to hear that the family loved it all and the kids couldn't wait to open their new gifts on Christmas morning!! A great day, for sure....

God Loves a Cheerful Giver (Part II)

As I was finishing up my Bible class lesson for tonight, I decided to try and write a poem to go along with the "money pouches" that I made yesterday. Here it is, in case you would like to use it, as well:

A CHEERFUL GIVER

A cheerful giver is what I’m to be.
The Bible says that it’s all up to me.
I may be rich, or I may be poor,
But giving to God is what I adore!

New song books, new Bibles, new crayons for class –
Our help with these things is what our God asks.
On each Sunday morning, as I let my light show,
Into this pouch, my money will go.

I’ll sit down and listen, and I’ll wait for the nod,
Then I’ll put on a smile when I give it to God.
~ S. Finton

I hope that you can use this sometime or share it with someone else!