Early Christmas Thoughts....

It's early to be talking about Christmas, but indulge me! It will be here before we know it. I was thinking this morning of the well known words,  "It is more blessed to give than to receive." As a child that can sometimes be hard to believe :) But, as an adult I have to say; this is so true! It's amazing how wonderful it feels when you have the opportunity to give to someone else. Personally, I always like to be on the giving end. I'm not so good at receiving!  In a sense, giving to someone else makes us feel so good, we actually are receiving after all. Tonight at church we are going to fill about 60 shoe boxes. They will be filled with small toys, candy, necessities, and lots of love!  They will be shipped out to children over seas who otherwise would not get a Christmas gift. The shoe box project is one of my very favorite things to do all year. It is so much fun to pick out small toys, combs, hair bows, candy, etc and think about the child who may receive them! I encourage you, if you are not already involved in a mission/outreach project.....find one! There are so many ways to be a "giver."  Find a church, an angel tree at Wal-Mart, local charities, or even a public school!  Many of these places have outreaches during the Holidays to give to those in need. It is so important for children to see that Christmas is about GIVING not just RECEIVING gifts! Isn't that the very meaning of Christmas? That God gave his only begotten son to this world.... To me the Holidays would not be complete without some sort of "giving."  And of course, our giving should not stop after Christmas! It should continue all year. There are more ways to give than just financially. You can give your time, talents, resources, and knowledge also!  So many places need volunteers.  Let's ponder that thought today.........How can I give more of myself away?