Christmas Sale: If you’d like info on getting any of my books (tax-free & with no shipping costs!) for you or as a personalized gift for someone, click here.
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Welcome to the 11th Day of Christmas Giveaway!!
Each day, December 1-12th, I am featuring a fellow Proverbs 31 sister and an aspect of Christmas. You’ll get to know her and she, in turn, will offer a fabulous giveaway! Simply leave a comment on her post to be entered in the drawing.
And, one soon-to-be-very-giddy gal who comments on all 12 posts will win the GRAND PRIZE! You may comment on all posts until Monday, December 13th at 5:00 pm EST when the winners will be announced. (to see the grand prize and get caught up on the posts click here)
Now, for our P31 sister of the day, the wonderful Lynn Cowell!
From Lynn’s Heart
Teen Mania…that describes my family! My husband, Greg and I have three teens – Zach, 19, Mariah 16 and Madi 13. When everyone is home, it is one hopping place!
The place we love to be together is in the mountains, visiting my son in college. Hiking, tubing, biking; anything as long as it combines our favorite people in our favorite place! I feel most comfortable there; in my hiking boots, well worn jeans and Appalachian State sweatshirt!
Here’s what put’s the whole experience over the top: starting the day before the rest of the house wakes up, sitting on a porch with a cup of tea, my Bible and journal.
I love soaking in the beauty of God’s creation in the Blue Ridge Mountains. His works are His love language to me and these mountains bring tears to my eyes each and every time I am blessed enough to get there. I keep thinking I’ll get used to this extravagent beauty, but I don’t. What radical love!
Wednesdays are my favorite day of the week – I get to volunteer at Proverbs 31! Taking the requests for our devotions brought back from speaking events, I enter them into our system.It blesses me to think just how many women get to hear God’s word through our devotions.
As the “go to” girl for teens on our speaker team, I will be coordinating our RadRevolution site in January. Here girls go to find out how crazy God is about them and parents go to find content for investing in their daughters.
I also have a passion for speaking to teens through my “Revolutionary Love” conference; designed to lead teens and their moms to finding their completion in Christ!
The True Meaning of Christmas
Like me, you are probably constantly on the lookout for speaking the true meaning of Christmas in your family. Several years ago, our family was relaxing after church when my father-in-law read us an article of a robber who stole “Christmas” . The mother and four children, who were pictured in front of their home, wore their sadness.
My husband scooped up our kids and said we were going to replace this family’s Christmas. We hunted to find the perfect gifts for this dejected family. Upon wrapping them just so, we piled into the car to find the home pictured in the paper. With God as our navigator, it didn’t take long until we found a match.
Oh how I wish I could insert a picture here of the joy and surprise on that mother’s face! Giving truly is better than receiving! It is moments like these that demonstrate to our kid’s Christmas’ true meaning. Love for Jesus is more caught than taught; especially when it comes to our teens.
Lynn’s Giveaway
Do you have a teen girl on your Christmas list that you want to “catch” the truth of Jesus’ revolutionary love? My prize pack is created just for her!
You’ll receive:
~Two “Scenario” novels by Nicole Dell
~A set of six pairs of earrings from Claire’s
~ A cute little photo album
~A travel mani-pedi set
~And a copy of my CD for teens entitled “He is That Into You”.
If that teen girl is your girl, I hope you’ll stop by my blog and sign up to receive my posts each Wednesday. “In the Know” discusses current trends in teen culture as well as brings encouragement as we seek to raise godly children.
Jesus, open our eyes to see the opportunities this Christmas season to show your love rather than tell it. Give us courage to be bold; being your hands and feet to a world that desperately needs to find your radical love!
Amen Lynn!!!
Okay sisters, to be entered to win Lynn’s great teen package, leave a comment telling about a time you witnessed the true meaning of Christmas.
Was it something you or your family did? Or was it a gesture shown to you? And yes, if you are busy today shopping or wrapping or baking, you make simply say “I’m in!”. 
Better-to-Give-Than-Receive Blessings,
There is no particular Christmas that stands out…I just love gathering presents with my children for Angel Tree, Toys for Tots, our shoe box or for foster children in our area. Getting presents for my family is fun, but there is true satisfaction gathering for the little ones truly in need of a real Christmas.
One Christmas my family and I gave a “private” caroling concert to an elderly lady I ministered to in a nursing home.
A true Christmas blessing was watching my children go through their toy closets last week picking out gently used toys to give to a friend who volunteers at a home for battered women and thier children so the children would have a Christmas this year. I was so very moved and proud as they gave so generously and have continued to pray for them.
Blessings,
kareng
I’m in!
What a great story Lynn shared! That really exemplified reaching out to others. My most recent significant Christmas memory of the true meaning of Christmas was when my neighbor decided to put on a Christmas pageant with all the neighborhood kids. Since only hers and mine knew the Lord, it was a unique opportunity to talk to the kids during dress rehearsals and such about who Jesus is. Their parents came the night of the performance and we had a college student deliver the gospel message at the end of it. People’s lives were touched.It was a simple home made production but made memories for that will last a life time.
I think we experience the true meaning of Christmas anytime we focus on others … stuffing shoe boxes for Samaritan’s Purse, shopping for Giving Tree gifts for children of those suffering from HIV/AIDS, making & delivering teacher gifts, singing songs and doing crafts with residents at a nursing home, etc. Praise and glory be to God as my family will have had the opportunity to experience these and other means of serving Him by serving His people this Christmas!!
Last year, the students at our Christian school collected food for an elderly couple at our church. They invited the couple to our Christmas program. How excited the couple was to receive such a blessing. Not to our surprise, the lady called next day and told us of how the shared alot of the food with their friends who needed it more than they did.
Michelle,
I love doing those same things as well! In fact, next week, my family has the opportunity to go to the Samaritan’s Purse warehouse here in Charlotte and get boxes ready to ship. My brother works there, so it will be a great family time!
Happy Saturday, Lynn
Leona,
Don’t the elderly love to have others come and love on them? I have an adopted “grandma” who is 102! When I go to visit her she always tells me “Cold hands; warm heart!”
Enjoy the Christmas season,
Lynn
Karen G,
I remember doing that one year with my children. When they give their best and not just their cast offs it truly gets a momma’s heart!
Keep encouraging them to be givers!
Lynn
Wow Loretta,
I love the idea of a neighborhood play. It reminds me of my early days of homeschooling; what a great way to reach out to your neighbors.
Enjoy the season, Lynn
Julie,
I love how your family blesses others in a variety of ways. Continue to be His light…others see! Lynn
Laureen,
It’s like a continuous circle of giving. Our radio station here does this thing called “The Drive Thru Difference”. They encourage us to pay for the meal of the person behind us; giving them a little card saying it is a blessing from Jesus. Often, the person who had their meal paid for, pays for the person behind them!
Merry Christmas! Lynn
I’m In ! Merry Christmas
My daughters is in 3rd grade and I stopped by to visit the class. The teacher was giving a little boy a belt for his pants. I asked about the little boy and she preceeded to tell me that he had came to school with a shoelace holding up his pants. Well thats all it took for me to get the WMU group at church to start helping this little boy and his sister. Everyone brough shoes and money so that this little boy wasnt ashamed to go to school in his clothes. My daughter is yet to say anything to this little boy about what her church family has done for his family. She is truely right in the middle of Jesus heart. So thanks to the Lord for leading us to this little boy he and his sister will know that God loves them and some wonderful strangers do as well. Merry Christmas!
Christmas caroling in a nursing home has special memories.
I’m in! Thanks!!
I’m in! When my children were small, our church gathered toys for a local orphanage. Our daughter picked out a soft toy I had just bought her the week before, which we gave away. A little later, she was looking for the toy and so I reminded her she had given it away. ‘Oh yes,’ she said calmly. She is now a young adult with a hugely generous heart, working with a debt relief charity. A lesson learnt when young is a lesson learnt forever.
im in
I’m in
when we were kids went to orphanages with gifts and christmas treats for a tea together and of course, we sang our hearts out with them!!!
I’m in!
When I was 13, my father was sent to prison right before Christmas time. Our family (8 children) didn’t have a lot of money and I know my Mom had to be worried about what was under the tree – she had a lot of real things to worry about too but I know she was still worried about Christmas. We lived out in the country and I at that time thought all of our neighbors were gossiping about our family and what was happening (they probably were). Anyhow, on Christmas morning here came this group of ladies with a present for each child and even one for my Mom. It was very touching, even more so to me now.
I don’t think I can think of anything in particular. My mother in law used to have disabled clients that lived in their home and they either didn’t have family or family that had abandoned them. So everyone made sure that they got gifts on Christmas. They were so excited!!!
I’m in!
Each year our church ministers to a low income apartment complex. This year, we set out to get the children “adopted” for what could be the only Christmas they will have. We were worried. The economy is rough and we had 136 children to be adopted. EVERY child got a sponsor. Tomorrow, we will hold a big Happy Birthday Jesus party and end by giving those children the only gifts they might receive. God is so Good!
A couple of years ago, I took my Sunday School class to visit some of our shut-ins. We took each of them a gift and sang to them. My totally wonderful husband taped each visit then spliced parts together to show at church. It was a blessing to all of us.
Last year we tried hard as a family to find ways that we could show love to others. We brainstormed as a family, and one idea from someone was to make cards and take them to a local nursing home. I’ve done that before, but never since I moved to this state and didn’t know which nursing home to choose or how to go about it. We had a family card-making party, though, and my husband arranged the rest. My very shy then-four-year-old daughter cozied right up to the residents and gave out cards and ‘Happy Birthday, Jesus’ stickers.’ It was great to see that she truly got it.
This year stands out to me because my youngest child, 11, finally realized that Christmas wasn’t all about him and presents….it was about the Lord. He always knew this but it really sunk in this year. He said, “I just want 1 gift, and want the rest to go toward the church we are helping to build”…..now thats Christmas!!
I’m in.
I’m in!
I’m in
Thank you Lynn for your heart for teens! I have 2 teens and it’s wonderful to know that there are christians out there making a difference in reaching teens for Christ. I am looking forward to checking out your blog & signing up for your weekly post. Your package you put together will be a wonderful gift to bless a teen girl!
I appreciate all the good ideas in giving to others at Christmas too. We have made an effort to participate in Operation Christmas Child or Angel Tree or in other ways each year also. Thanks for the reminder that we need to show the love of Jesus to those who are hurting.
I’m in …. headed to start a day of baking
I’m in
We like to help pack the Christmas baskets for our giving tree families at church. Sometimes we help sort the presents also. The kids also like to buy a present for toys for tots.
I remember one Christmas a very long time ago delivering gifts to a family where the father was in prison. We pulled up with all of our gifts wrapped and in the trunk. My husband was dressed in a black leather coat and a striking tall black leather hat. As he opened the trunk with the gifts spilling out, children from this very poor home came running out, stopping in their tracks they shouted: “are you Santa Claus?”!
I’m in!
I would like to share two Christmases. The first is when we were on the giving end. We decided to have a Christmas with no material goods given. In lieu of gifts to each person we would normally give a gift to, we donated something in their name to a charity, and we tried to match it to something they were interested in. For one person, my husband and I donated blood, for another we donated money to our local hospital towards a new cardiac unit (widower of a woman who died of a heart attack). We also donated to Heifer International, Operation Shoebox, Prison Ministries, Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity, and others. Each person got a gift card telling what their donation was and why. (I’m sorry to say that not everybody was thrilled with not getting that package to open!) But WE loved knowing that the needy were getting something. (The ones who were the unhappiest were the ones who have the most – what does that say?)
As for the other story, it is one where our family was on the receiving end. My father had been seriously ill out of state for several months and I was driving back and forth spending three to four days a week with him. He died only nine days before Christmas, and as his only child, I had to singlehandedly manage his affairs and funeral in the days leading up to Christmas. With the death following an illness that had lasted the entire fall season, needless to say I had not done shopping, decorating, cards, or baking. But on Christmas Eve, we had a delivery to our door. It was marked from “Mrs. Claus.” It was a large box of very beautifully decorated and delicious sugar cookies addressed to my children. The person who sent them would not be identified, but that gesture was amazing to us. We heard through the grapevine that someone did not want to see my children go through Christmas without cookies. I will never forget how precious those cookies were to me. And the magic that it brought my children to think that Mrs. Claus was looking out for them.
Just the other day, my three year old began placing all of his toys underneath our Christmas tree. When I asked him what he was doing, he said, “These are all for the people who don’t have a Christmas.” I pray he will keep that thought in his mind for many years to come.
This year our church is collecting items for some precious people who ride vans to our church from refugee camps – Yes, here in the United States! Many of them come without shoes and jackets and properly fitting clothes. Because my family does not have extra money to spend, my husband and I decided that our children already have more than they need, and we will take what we would have spent on them to buy items for the refugee children.
I love this story!
Thank you for sharing!!!
Merry Christmas, Girls!
I’m in. Thanks for sharing all the inspirational stories.
I’m in!
I’m in!! Thank you
Being on the receiving end of the giving is very humbling. We had lost my husband’s brother in an accident in Sept. and our daughter was born to us with a birth defect. Even though we did not have many physical needs, the Lord brought a whole holiday dinner to our door. All the trimmings and some gifts for the children.
Usually we are out every year to go carrolling and bringing some cheer and comfort to shut ins around the Christmas season. Seeing the tears in the eyes of these precious saints is thanks enough for us.
I just love to hear how the little ones love to give to others when they know others don’t there are people who don’t have anything. I can repeat some of the stories mentioned here. God is so good to us, and returns the goodwill when we need to be comforted.
I’m in!!! Thanks for sharing about your life.
Letting my granddaughter tell the story of Jesus with our nativity figures before we exchange gifts.
I had missed the deadline at church to give to the Vincent De Paul society, who were collecting food and gifts for the poor in our parish. Something made me call the number anyway and coincidentally (I think not) a single mom had called in needing food and gifts. I called a few sisters in Christ and we filled my garage with food and gifts, the embarrassing part is it was all from our overflow, our gift closets and pantries were pretty full.
The man asked if I wanted to come and deliver and I said know, that I needed to remain anonymous for my own experiment in humility. Well, after the items were picked up I recieved a phone call from the society rep who said, “I know you want to remain anonymous but this woman really wants to talk to you.” Knowing that it made her happy, I complied. Oh my goodness, she cried and cried and thanked me and thanked me and I coudln’t help but think of her in her barely furnished apt filled with our extras and how happy it made her and her children were all yelling and happy. You don’t forget something like that. I try to help someone every year.
The most memorable time when my family experienced the real meaning of Christmas as when our 4 children were small. We were sharing supper at Kentucky Fried Chicken and saw a “home-less looking man” eating alone. My husband invited him to eat with us. We found out that he WAS homeless and just travelling through. It was horribly cold outside and he had no place to sleep that night. My husband made provisions for him to have a place to sleep and a warm shower for the night. My children, now grown, will never forget helping this man and they often wonder what happened to him. We trust that God sent other peopll along his way to help him, too.
I am now a married woman with both biological, adopted and foster children. But, eight years ago, I was a single mom with 3 foster children in my care and my then 7 year old son. As I’m sure you can imagine, money was very tight, but our house was filled with Christmas joy anyway. We would admire the houses on our street with Christmas lights on them and sit outside and enjoy the view. Christmas lights for us were not a possiblity. I simply couldn’t afford them and I did not have the ability to hang them. One day, the family and I were coming home for the night and noticed that there were some very bright lights near our little home. A family from my work, took off work early and purchased and hung beautiful white icecicle like likes on our home. My chidren were thrilled and I was blessed. Even when we get together to do a Christmas outreach, we always remember the joy of that season and how much it touched our lives.
I’m in!!
I do have a teen girl at home involved in many leadership roles. Thank you for putting together a package designed for teens! Today she is bell ringing. I am very proud of her. I guess it’s doing little things that make Christ alive in us, helping someone to the store entry in the snow, shoveling out a vacationing neighbor while away, carrying extra kettle funds in a handy spot in purse, donating to local charity drives, having a smile always for frustrated store clerks.
Last year, I didn’t appreciate all of the chocolate lying around. In the wonderful dinner I sat very attentive to the food and tried to be sociable. Best part – everyone did have a lot of fun – with immediate and extended families. Chad prayed that I would be blessed through the time spent preparing, and I did say a prayer in thankfulness over the joy that resulted. I challenged myself to make Christmas Day worshipful last year, and one way we did this was joining hands around the nativity Christmas morning and praying together. That made for a beautiful moment.
I have 2 precious nieces that are entering their teens! Are there any great resources like this for boys?
One of my favorite memories as a jr.higher was the Christmas my family gave Christmas to a family who had nothing. We did it anonymously which makes it even more special, because the gift is truly from God then, not people. I will never forget that day.
Last year was our first Christmas Eve service in our newly formed church so it was very special. We had collected gifts, food and clothing for a single Mom and her two kids……that always makes me feel good. The service was beautiful and the fellowship afterward food for the soul. When we finished at church we headed home for Christmas Eve with our kids and grandkids and our soon to be new son-in-law and his recently widowed Mom. It meanst so much to us that our daughters new “Mom” was going to join us at a time that was so painful for her……her first Christmas without her husband of over 40 years. It was so good for her to get on the floor with our grandkids and play with their toys and I could see how hard it was for her. Our kids got married in May this year and now that sweet lady is a part of my family and we cherish her. I am working my best to try to get her to join us again this year and make it a family tradition.
I have 7 granddaughters….one that is 13, two 12 and one 11, any of which would benefit from your giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win.
Brenda Schiesser
Rather than exchange gifts in my office this year, we decided to adopt a family in need and we all bought gifts so this family could have a Christmas this year. We took a few minutes together at work and wrapped the gifts. It really was a lot of fun and brought a lot of satisfaction to us. None of us really need anything – but this family did – so it truly was a blessing for us!
We try each year to give more than we receive and cast that vision into the hearts of our children. This began for me as a little girl. I remember wrapping lots of gifts for a precious family in need. We even took the whole meal, ham, sides, desserts and the greatest pleasure came when we got to personally deliver it to this families home and place the gifts under their tiny tree. Oh such joy. Merry Christmas.
Organizing the Operation Christmas child at church is one of my favorite things
when we asked our 11 year-old son what he wanted for Christmas, he replied, “I’m pretty content right now!”
I’m in
I’m in.
Christmas is such a special time of the year. We tend to forget the real meaning of Christmas and I hope that my family won’t forget that reason this year.
I celebrate Christmas everyday. Think that is what we should do.
If I would win Lynn’s gift, I would give them to special young ladies at my church.
Carol,
I am sure you are so proud of your girl and how she serves. I hope you’ll stop by my blog where we connect on lots of topics concerning teens!
Lynn
I’m in!
My teen would absolutely love this….she loves the Lord and loves to read!!!
When I had a double mastectomy two years ago on xmas eve…the outpouring love received by my family and I during a very challenging time was a true witness of God’s love for us through all times. Thanks for introducing us to Lynn with your 12 days of Xmas, I look forward to checking out her site and email as I have a teen daughter at home. Blessings on your day!
I love your ministry, Lynn, and read your blog regularly. Thank you for your heart and for allowing the Lord to use it for His glory.
God has been really good to us, providing and protecting me and my two kids. I experrienced the true meaning of Christmas last week when I went shopping for two children on the Angel Tree Ministry at our church. Angel Tree is a ministry that sponsors children who’s parents are in prison and would not otherwise have access to nice gifts at Christmas. The sponsor buys the gift in the name of the incarcerated parent. Well I’m a single mom raising two kids both in their teens and my kids, because of angels that have been placed in their life, are so blessed with things. It was a joy to shop for my angel tree babies, trying to imagine their excitement on Christmas morning when they open their gifts. That was my newest experience of the true meaning of Christmas. Although I’m on a single mom’s budget, God blessed me this year to become a blessing.
I’m in
I’m in.
I’m in!
I love to hear stories about how people open their homes and prime-time family time to share with someone less fortunate or lonely on Christmas. One year an early morning snowstorm changed everyone’s plans and travel was not recommended so “musical chairs Christmas” resulted with people sharing their Christmas dinner with anyone who could walk to their homes. Now that is a Christmas memory!
I’m happy to hear the resources for teens online is growing for parents to access.
Thank you Lynn and RadRevolution.
I’m In!
I’m in!
It truly is more of a blessing to give than to receive. One of my closest friend’s husbands had a heart attack at 57 and just had triple bypass surgery. He is in the hospital and we have been able to run errands for our dear friends, cook, pick his mother up from the airport, clean her home. We truly need nothing for Christmas and this is teaching our young adult son to show Jesus and be a help to someone else rather than always look to be on the receiving end of material gifts. I, like Katie Seest above, would love to know if there are resources or websites for young 20 something sons. I have been meeting and praying with an accountability partner and Lynn your website sounds great for her teenaged daughter.
My true experience of Christmas was the year after my husband left us. My sons worked so hard to give me a special day — with a spa gift certificate and they even thought to fill my stocking. They took a day I was dreading, but never told them that, and they made it a special memory!
Edie
I’m in, Merry Christmas!!
After our small group bought gifts and food for the family we received from social services,, we all decided to bless(and surprise)a family in our congregation that was struggling and gathered about 10 bags of food for them as well!
Lynn, we share a common love for these beautiful mountains. Part of my heart always stays in the mountains. It is quite amazing how strongly I can see and feel God’s love and power there.
As for a meaningful Christmas, my husband and I have been talking about just this recently, and how we want to model Christ’s love to our families. As we were talking about the power of action, he just said that he would give up hearing 100 great sermons for SEEing 5 good ones!
Thanks for this great post!
Thank you, I’m in.
I’m in.
December 17, 2003…The day my hubby had a kidney transplant…our oldest adopted son was the donor…our church family rallied around us, gave gifts to our children…28 of them waiting all day at the hospital with me…they paid our bills for 8 weeks and fed us until we just couldn’t eat any more…Christmas eve God allowed both hubby and son along with the rest of our family to be in church and WOW was God there!!!
I’m in!!
Katie Sheest,
Hey Katie…resources for boys…check out Alex and Brett Harris. They have a great book called “Do Hard Things” and a website too!
Lynn
I’m in!
Cindy, What an amazing story of love and sacrifice as well as God’s provision! Merry Christmas,
Lynn
Caroline, God’s creation must be your love language from Him too! How cool…Lynn
Edie…you must have shown your children how to love for them to think of you so much that day!
Katie T. Adopting a family is Jesus with skin on!
Lynn
Donna…please have your friend stop by. On Wednesdays I talk on lots of young people subjects…I have a 19 year old son so I can relate when it comes to raising teen boys too. Hope you will stop by…Lynn
Jane V.W.B.
A few years ago we had an ice storm in Charlotte a week or so before Christmas. We had people from our church stay with us for a few days. It was a real stretching experience…one that I am sure God would endorse that we do more!
Lynn
“I’m in!”
I’m in….
Hi…Just have a minute since we are out of town, but wanted to ler you know my granddaughter–13..really likes your site…thanks so much for your commitment to young women…
I’m in!!!
I’m in.
Rebecca Ann
I’m in!
For me, seeing the true meaning of Christmas is in every day life as we reach out to those in need and share the light that came that night when Jesus was born. Merry Christmas!
I’m in
A dear friend has for years been struggling financially and a couple years ago we signed them up to receive gifts through a radio station website where you post the needs and someone contacts you to meet those needs. So they received their entire Christmas which for 6 kids plus 2 adults is a BIG Christmas! And my dad is Santa every Christmas, so he dressed all up, and the family didn’t even know who my dad is and they were dumbfounded and even woke up the next day in awe to how the Lord provided.
I’m in!
It is wonderful to see my young pre-teen grandkids sharing the true meaning of Christmas! Too soon they will be TEENS! But I know they will be Teens for Jesus!
Merry Christmas!
I’m in!
I’m in! Love this idea!
We recently moved out of our hometown and even though our money has been very tight. Our girls bought a bicycle for an angel tree name. It makes you enjoy the holiday. We also go visit an elderly women we met and have really enjoyed her stories. Merry Christmas and thanks
Listening to my kids talk about what Christmas means. To hear them say that it is the birth of our Savior brings so much joy to this Momma’s heart.
JUMPING UP AND DOWN! STILL JUMPING!
Yay! So excited about this giveaway! Weeeeeee!
I have 2 teen daughters and a son in college. This is the most encouraging post yet!
I too, love ministering to teens and their parents. I’d love to do more.
I’m in.
When my boys were about 5 and 6 yrs old. I gave them each a few dollars before going into a second hand store. On the way to find a parking spot my 6 year old asked about the man ringing the bells by the red pot. I told him that he was collecting money for people who do not have all that they need…to bless them for Christmas. My son said, “mom, would it be okay if I give my money to him instead of spending it?” I wanted to shout to the heavens….OF COURSE IT IS OKAY, IT IS A WONDERFUL IDEA!!!! I encouraged him that God blesses when we are faithful to care for others. Little did I know just how quickly God would bless him. We deposited his money and entered the store and after shopping for some time my 5 year old found what he wanted that cost a mere 40Cents and he saw a stuffed Koala bear that he thought his brother might like….asked him and then bought it for him. He still has that Koala today, 9 years later. Recently he wrote a paper on this experience. Now this, to me, is the true meaning of CHRISTmas. Blessings of His abundant Love to all.
I’m in! Thanks, Terri
I’m already a fan of her blog. The closest thing to a teen is my daughter, 12. She’s growing up faster than I like. But she’s such a joy to gave in my life and she brightens every day just by being there and being her.
I’m in! =)
I’m in!
Lynn, thanks for sharing your story!!! Love to read stories like that!!!!
A few years ago now I was volunteering in a school office. One day, just days before Christmas, one of the teachers came in and announced that her church had been collecting specific gifts for requests they had received for those who couldn’t afford gifts that year, but that night their church was vandalized and all the gifts had been stolen. She was distraught as she had been the organizer of these donations and didn’t know how or when she’d have time to replace the items on the list. That day I was only working a half day in the office, so after phoning my husband, I asked her for the complete list. I went out to my car…prayed for God to direct me to stores and good deals so I could be a good steward of the money He had entrusted to our family, and within a 24 hour period I was back at the school with all the gifts replaced. To this day it remains the best Christmas I ever enjoyed. The recipients of the gifts had no idea their gifts were stolen or that one family replaced them all..a family with no connection to that earthly church family, but to the body of Christ and His church.
There’s still time to be used like that this year…I’ll be watching for an opportunity to make Christ visible,
Joy
I’m in!
Great story. Busy day. I’m in!
I am definitely in!! My first daughter who is now 20 I did not do her justice in training her up in Christ. With my other daughters ages 12 and 8 I realize I need to provide a better foundation for their future.
A couple of years ago we had a similar experience of “adopting” a family. What a beautiful way to share Christ’s love. It was such a joy to take the packages in and sing a few carols with them as tears streamed down all of our faces!
I’m in just love the time when I went to a Christmas church concert, the lyrics and majestic sounds of the music was when I realized the really meaning of Christmas as a young 8 year old
I am already a fan of your blog Lynn. I have two teen girls (17 & 19). We can never have too much information to pass along to our teens to help them learn more about Jesus. The fact that my children always ask if we can donate to our church “Giving Tree” without my reminding them warms my heart.
One year our family adopted a family from our children’s school. The kindergarten teacher told us about a family who had two sons that attended the school. They had only one outfit to wear to each day but came to school with neatly cleaned and ironed pants and shirts every day. The family of four were renting and living in someone’s garage. The boys didn’t own a jacket. We bought gifts and groceries and took them over to the family who were so appreciative. It really touched our hearts and made an impact on our kids. We are so blessed and have so much to be thankful for.
I’m in!
We’ve adopted a little boy tfor Christmas at my office! It’s great to see everyone wanting to help.
There is nothing I can think of that I did alone. Every miracle I have witnessed or had a part of always came from with the direction of our Heavenly Father. I pray in 2011 I can do more and witness more.
A few years back, a friend’s family was in serious financial straits and her husband got very sick. It is still amazing to me how we all just came together and were able to bring heaven to earth for this family. From a donated Christmas tree, gifts for the kids,a full Christmas Dinner, and mortgage payments. It was a beautiful thing to be a part of.
When I was teaching preschool before I was married, there was a family whose 3 children had raggedy coats that didn’t zip, no gloves or hats, and the parents had no coats or gloves, either. The dad had just gotten out of jail and was trying to support his family working at a service station, outdoors, with no gloves or mittens. My fiance at the time, husband now, and I, went shopping and bought the whole family full winter gear, a few Christmas decorations, and slippers and had a friend of ours deliver them to their apartment. The kids came in the next day wearing their new coats and carrying their slippers to change into, and couldn’t contain their excitement over those simple things that most of us take for granted.
I’m in
I am in. Merry Christmas!
Every year we participate in our church’s giving tree program and look for other ways to give to people who struggle during the holidays.
I’m in.
I’m in……
this would be such a wonderful gift for my daughter… I’m in!
I’m in!
I’m in!
this year we have made it a point to help other famalies. One was food, one was money and one was a simple donation of games no longer used. We also encourage our kids to go through their toys and donate items they no longer play with to kids who won’t have other presents.
I’m in! My daughter had the opportunity to help a homelss man shortly after Thanksgiving. That experience showed me that she “got it” at least for the moment. She understood it was better to give than receive.
I’m in.
I am in!
The true meaning of Christmas came the year my children were 2 and 8. My son wanted to bake a birthday cake for Jesus – he came up with that idea all by himself – no prompting from mom. To me that showed that he really understood why we were celebrating and it wasn’t just to see the big pile of presents under the tree.
I’m in… no teenage daughter here… my daughter is almost 6:)
I’m in.
With two teenage daughters, I’M IN!!!
Im in
I’m in!
I’m in, thanks
I’m in! Thnaks
I’m in! Thanks for sharing your story!
I’m in!
I’m in!!!
I’m in! Every year my kids & I volunteered at Operation Christmas Child & also made up several shoeboxes. They really enjoyed putting the boxes together knowing that someone who may not be getting anything for Christmas would be receiving their box & also receive some information on Jesus in their own language. I recently remarried & now have a 12 year old step-daughter that I would like to share this teen package with her as she is not being nurtured by her mother. Her dad & I are trying to teach her God’s word & that she doesn’t need to get sucked into the ways of the world.
I’m in. Thanks!
I’m in:)
I’m in.
I’m in …. I have loved reading about all these P31 sisters! Several are now my new “goto’s for daily encouragement and I will definitely visit Lynn’s blog today to sign up!
I’m in!
This is such a neat idea for teen girls!
I’m in
I’m in! I experience the true meaning of Christmas when a little boy with Lukiemia say a song to Jesus with the words…”Is there anything I can do for you for you have done so much for me.”
This is really a very long story but the short version is my daughter and I coordinated my office adopting a family for Christmas. I found a family through my church whose father had just walked out on the wife and four children. My office donated over $400 in cash and several other gifts, including clothes, jackets and pajamas for the kids and dishes, silverware and pots and pans for the family. I made sure mom had gifts, too! My daughter and I went shopping and then wrapped for days! Due to frugal shopping and generous friends we were able to get the family everything on their wish list! The mom was overwhelmed and cried as our office Santa delivered the gifts. (I wanted it to be anonymous so I didn’t go.) That was the start of an annual tradition for my office.
The past two years have been very hard financially for us with my husband loosing his job in Dec. of 2008 and being unemployed for 5 months and then underemployed for about 9 months and now he has a great job but it is 100% commission. So needless to say, we have seen God take care of us, provide for us, pay our bills, etc. – Last year, our heat & air guy after basically giving us his labor in fixing our air that summer and our heat last winter – and then letting us take however long we needed to pay our bill, brought all 5 of our kids several Christmas presents and clothes. He told us to give them to them from us, not from him. We were able to give them something for Christmas because of his gift. He was the hands and feet of Jesus to this weary family! May we all be that to someone else!
I’m in!
We were new to the town we were living. We had bought a house and had sold our old house on a contract for deed. The buyer had gotten several months behind in payments, leaving us severely strapped for money. We told our kids they would each only get one small gift each that year and we would have to give them more when we got more money. Two days before Christmas, the Lions dropped off a box of gifts. When we opened the packages on Christmas, each of my children got exactly what each had wanted, the youngest a big Teddy Bear, the middle one a special kind of Barbie, and my oldest a portable CD player – there was no way the buyers or givers of the gifts could have known as we never told anyone. It made us all cry and really appreciate the way God cared about such a simple thing.
One year my coworkers demonstrated the true meaning of Christmas to me and my unchurched husband. They saw that we were not going to be able to get our three young boys much, if anything, for Christmas because of my husband’s unemployment. They “adopted” us, and my boys were blissfully unaware of our hardship that holiday. It was quite a blessing, and I like to think that it sewed seeds in my husband’s heart. God bless you! Thank you for the fun contest and giveaways.
I’m in
Back when I was in grade school, our school put on a beautiful Christmas pagaent always telling the true Christmas story. It always brought the true meaning of Christmas to me. I love going back in time and recalling those memories. It always get me in the true Christmas spirit. thank you for the giveaway.
koinonia572001@yahoo.com
I am back form the 12th day post. Someone give my sister and me some Christmas cookies as my family as you know was not getting along back than.
One of the best Christmas memories about giving I have is from this year when our knit/crochet group from church made a lot of hats and scarves and delivered them to a local homeless shelter to be given for Christmas presents…our pastor had us bring the hats and scarves in first to church and the whole congregation prayed for each person who will get one!
My dad had just died and I was at a orchestra concert that was all decked out. I was really struggling to have joy thinking of all my dad was missing, and all of a sudden I felt like God was saying, “Christmas is waaay better up here with me.”
Im in !!!
One year we had a lot of money trouble…just no money. Our county Sherriff’s Department heard about it and we were the recipients of a truck load of gifts for our children. I was SO overwhelmed. It was such an overwhelming thing to be on the recieving end of. We now pay it forward each year by giving to those in our community who are less fortunate.
jenbrandes(at)frontiernet(dot)net
My teen niece really needs to refocus away from the world and back on what is innocent and important.
Memorable Christmas when we had NOTHING for Christmas and not one $ for presents. Explain that, without tears, to a family of six. But God. I remember crying over not being able to buy the expensive summer sausage roll I did for meat & crackers at the holidays. How could I justify that when just buying hamburger was tough? Yet when I was cleaning up on top of cupboards in laundry room, I found THREE jewelry sets I had purchased in the past for my girls and had “hidden” and forgotten them. I found books in the basement for my older boys in their interests, that I had forgotten about. We got a basket of bread, ham & goodies from church. We got a basket of homemade knit caps & mittens on our porch. We had a $50 Walmart card stuck in our door. Kids from paper routes got extraordinarily high tips that year. Do you think God cares about what matters to us? Oh and in that box, that silent prayer of mine was answered. It had a roll of summer sausage.
I witnessed the true meaning of Christmas about a month ago. I had just picked my kids up from Kids Club at church. My oldest son talked about packing shoe boxes full of gifts for kids who had nothing. He was feeling a bit jealous, because he had to put the cutest little stuffed skunk in the box, and I could tell he wished he could have it. I told him to imagine how happy that little boy was going to be when he opened the box, and that maybe it would be his first stuffed animal ever. It was so amazing to see my little boy set aside his jealousy, and think about that nameless boy.
I’m in!
I’m in!
I’m in!
i witnessed the true meaning of Christmas when a friend of my husband’s blessed us with the gift of a Christmas tree — which i might add was given sacrificially as his family had little themselves. it had been a difficult year for us financially due to health issues & the loss of a job. what a blessing!
It was the the first Christmas my husband & I were married, we were totally broke as most young couples probably are & our church family brought us over a Christmas dinner basket. I didn’t even know anyone knew how broke we were so we were totally surprised by their gesture of love and concern!