It seems Christmas is almost upon us and our annual Christmas Store is almost ready to kick off as well. I was talking with Bryan Kelly and it's apparent that the whole staff is looking forward to another successful Christmas Store.
However, we are currently only at a quarter of what we normally raise for the Christmas Store. I understand that everyone is cutting back and that budgets are tight, but we would be remiss if we didn't send out a second appeal for money, gift cards to Wal-Mart and Toys-R-Us, and volunteers to help during our Christmas Store event.
I recently talked with one of our building's pest control technicians, Richard. He was telling me about how he's trying to teach his children about what it means to give, especially during the holiday season, and not just receive. He and his family have recently begun trying to make a tradition out of finding a family in need, finding out the ages of the children, and taking his own kids to the store and allowing them to pick out toys and gifts for the family they would help. He said his youngest has already come up to him, this year, and asked: "Daddy, when are going to buy toys for the other kids?" You could see in his eyes and hear in his voice the pride of a father over his child. It was quite encouraging for me to hear his story.
Whether or not you give are able to give to our Christmas Store, or any other worthy program this Christmas season, we hope you are able to enjoy fellowship with friends and family and to have sweet, sweet communion with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as we celebrate His birth and the arrival and manifestation of God's grace for sinners.
Grace and peace to all who love the Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible,
(and Merry Christmas)
Matt Wolfe
Media Director
Common Ground Montgomery