But we have a tradition in our house.
A tradition that each year we can brighten up someone else's Christmas.
A little boy or girl we do not know and indeed may never know.
All we know is that we can have a part in their Christmas.
Each year, around this time, we think of whether we will choose a boy or girl and around what age they will be. We consider all the little treats they may like to unwrap and explore. We get a little bit each week in our trolley and soon it mounts up.
We wrap a shoe box with pretty Christmas paper and we spend a fun filled night packing our boxes.
We talk about the little boy or girl as we pack, and think about their little face as they open their box. What will they see first? What will be their favourite gift? Will they like seeing the photo and note we've added?
Christmas is a time to share the gift of love. A gift that costs us nothing but is more valuable than any materialistic object on any Christmas list. To pack this box helps us share that love in a practical way. Sharing love with a child who may feel unloved and devalued. It helps them know someone, somewhere was thinking of them and put the time and effort into preparing this special gift box just for them.
I love the Operation Christmas Child shoe box appeal that Samaritans Purse run each year. This act of love means so much to each and every child who receive a box. Children around the world, who without these boxes, may not even know that Christmas means love.
I was in such a fortunate position to ask people of my community to stand by me and help collect as many boxes as we could this year. My community never cease to amaze me. They selflessly give and support such worthy causes each and every time. They filled my car with their boxes of love.
These are just a few we squeezed in the boot, the back seat is filled too.
I can't wait until after Christmas, when we get to find out where our boxes go too. We'll know exactly which part of the world a little boy or girl are from who received our box of love.
