What? You’re probably saying “It’s too soon. The Christmas trees aren’t even up yet at Wal-Mart.” I bet they are! But, October puts me in the Christmas spirit, not because the trees start popping up at Wal-Mart or because that candy that I can only get once a year is right around the corner, but because that’s when we pack our Operation Christmas Child Christmas Shoeboxes (Wednesday, October 27th at 6 p.m.). Why is this a big deal at Maple Grove? Well, it’s because participating in Operation Christmas Child is another way that we are carrying out our mission mandate. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Through this project, local churches (like Maple Grove) partner with Samaritan’s Purse to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of the nations. It’s going to be exciting to pack the boxes, and the wait for God to show Himself through them. Every year we hear about children all over the world who receive a gift – many for the first time – through Operation Christmas Child.
Can you imagine getting a gift for the first time at age 8, or 10, or 13? Can you imagine opening that gift, and knowing that someone cared enough to send that to you from across the world? More importantly, can you imagine feeling the love from that gift, and hearing that there is a God who loves you even more than the person who sent that, and Who has offered a gift more precious than anything on this Earth, His Son Jesus Christ? That’s what happens when a shoebox is delivered. The Gospel is presented. We’ll get to hear some stories about the impact these boxes have, but please don’t underestimate what this simple act of love can do. God uses them in a mighty way. Remember, the Gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. Romans 1:16.
In the life of a believer, every single day should be Christmas Day – whether it’s in July, October 27th or happens to be December 25th. Why? Because we praise God every day that His Son came to live among us, and to give His life so that we may have eternal life. We open the gift of salvation every single day. Have you opened that gift? If not, there is no reason for delay. Come join us at Maple Grove.
In love,
Bro. Parks