Operation Christmas Child
We have so much to be thankful for! Kidz Creek is excited to help your family develop a heart of thankfulness – while you share what God has given you with children in crisis areas around the world through the simple gift of a shoebox. Operation Christmas Child uses a shoebox filled with small gifts to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world.
Before packing you family’s shoebox(es) lead your family in a discussion with these age appropriate questions about having a “Thankful Heart”.
Preschool:
What are you thankful for?
Do you know who gives us all those things? God! And we should thank Him.
Lead your preschooler in saying a simple prayer like this “Thank You, God for puppy dogs!”
Elementary:
What does it mean to have a “thankful attitude”?
What if everything you have (toys, TV, clothes) was gone tomorrow? Would you still have anything to be thankful for?
On a scale of 1-10, how thankful do you think we are as a family?
Why is it important that we’re a family that gives to others?
How do you think that giving to other people shows God we’re thankful to Him?
How to Pack a Shoebox:
Step 1 – Shoebox:
Use an empty shoebox (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.
Step 2 – Boy or Girl:
Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Go to HYPERLINK “http://www.samaritanspurse.org/pdf/PackABoxwithLabels.pdf” http://www.samaritanspurse.org/pdf/PackABoxwithLabels.pdf to print out the appropriate boy/girl label. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.
Step 3 – Fill with Gifts:
Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Visit HYPERLINK “http://www.samaritanspurse.org” http://www.samaritanspurse.org for a list of gift suggestions and complete directions on how to pack a shoebox.
