Our Christmas Box

Inspired by a blog written by Francine Rivers, our family decided to make a Christmas box for a homeless person and pray that the Lord would lead us to the right person. We went shopping at Target to find things we thought someone on the streets would need and would also put a smile on their face. We let the boys brainstorm about what they thought would make our recipient "feel special." They picked out some fun Christmas socks, gloves, a hat and also their favorite Christmas candy as well as some of our homemade Ginger bread cookies. 

A few other items we included: bottle water, deoderent, first aid kit, anti-bacterial wipes, hand sanitizer, gold bond powder, multi-vitamins, energy bars, and toothbrush/paste. We used a plastic shoebox that can be reused and will keep things dry.

We taped on top of the box coupons for two nights of food and lodging at the Memphis Union Mission. These are great to keep in your car for when you see panhandlers on the streets. You can purchase the coupons here. Hopefully this will give someone a safe, warm, peaceful place to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas day night where the light and love of Christ is present.

As Francine Rivers did, I wrote the following on an index ca, let the boys color the back of it, and placed it in the box:

“The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words.  I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.  Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this:  The unfailing love of the LORD never ends!  By HIS mercies we have been kept from complete destruction.  Great is HIS faithfulness; HIS mercies begin afresh each day.  I say to myself, ‘This LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in HIM.’”  Lamentations 3:19-20

We have the box in our car today as we're out and about and trusting the Spirit to lead. I hope you will pray with us and even join us in this new Christmas Eve tradition!