We are entering a season of the year, that if we are not careful, can easily become about us. We are gently reminded in Acts 20:35 to remember the words of Jesus, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (NLT) The Message translation states it even more plainly, "You're far happier giving than getting."

This year, I want to encourage you to join in with the thousands of people here in Middle Georgia who will be packing shoeboxes with gifts for a child and touching young lives. Wouldn't it be awesome to send 100, 000 boxes?

The ladies I spoke with at Byron United Methodist Church are excited to see how God uses a simple shoebox to tell of His unconditional love. One lady shared with me that receiving letters is an exciting part of Operation Christmas Child. Some letters arrive in Middle Georgia mailboxes almost a year after the shoeboxes have been sent.

She said, "You know your shoebox went somewhere to someone, but when you receive a letter from that child, you realize how personal this ministry is."

Here is one of the letters that has been received.

"My dear Anna, New Years Greetings!Thank you very much for your loving letter. Thank you very much for sending me a gift pack. I am very happy to receive the pencils, doll, sketch pen, chocolates, and toys. I am 12 years old. My father's name is Prazull. He is dead. My mother is doing household work. I am studying in the 6th grade. I am studying hard. I am attending church and Sunday School regularly. I remember you in my daily prayers. I am very thankful to God that I got a very nice friend. Please remember me in your prayers."

Another letter reads:

…"My mother works at the children's home in which live children who have lost their parents… the children call her mother because they have not their mother. They love her very much. My mother received your boxes, and the children were very happy! They can't read, but they like to listen when somebody reads to them. My mother doesn't know English, so they ask me to read the Bible to the children. They like it very much and they learn many new thngs about God and His Son Jesus. The children ask me to read to them again and again. They want to know much. The children thank you very much. I, my mother and children want to be friends with you. I am glad that across so many miles God consolidates us…"

Operation Christmas Child shares the following information on packing a shoebox.

Collection Dates: November 13-20 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. , Monday through Friday; 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays

Drop Off: Byron United Methodist Church Christian Fellowship Center (located on the corner of Main and W. Heritage)

• Regular Shoe box size only • Designate for boy or girl • Download the shoe box labels from www.samaritanspurse.org or pick up a label at Byron UMC • Wrap the lid separately from the shoe box • Choose an age category: Ages 2-4; Ages 5-9; or Ages 10-14 • The following items cannot be sent: liquids (shampoo or lotions), war toys (tanks, toy soldiers, guns), glass objects (toy mirrors) • Candy should be bagged so if it were to melt nothing would be ruined. • Please include $7 placed inside the shoebox to cover the shipping.

You may not receive a letter, but one day you might hear someone say, "Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed. Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am so glad you gave."

I've heard it said and even said it myself that you can't put God in a box. This Christmas, we need "to put God in a shoebox." Let's fill a shoebox with His love and reach out to a child through Operation Christmas Child.

For more information, contact Byron United Methodist Church at 956-5717.