The Power Of A Shoebox

It’s time to begin our annual Christmas Shoebox collection. The holiday season is such a joyous time, and you can make it special for a child in Romania. The celebration of Christmas began with a gift. It’s a time when we celebrate God giving the world the gift of Jesus. If you reflect on the creator of the world, choosing to give us the gift of His Son to bring us back to a relationship with Him, it is a powerful thing.

Think about the moment right before you open a gift. Sometimes you might have an idea of what the gift is, or sometimes you might have no idea what to expect. Either way, the excitement is almost always uncontainable. Why is this? Why is receiving a gift such an exciting thing? I think because no matter how small or large the gift may be, it sends the message that someone cares, someone was thinking of you when they handpicked and purchased this gift. There is great joy in being the focus of someone’s love!

Now, think of a child who has never received a Christmas gift, or possibly any type of gift. This simple box that you packed has traveled across the world and is now in the hands of a child in Romania. When given a gift for the first time, the child is excited, anxiously waiting for the moment to open it. As the box is opened, the child begins to pull out each thing that you specifically selected just for them: toys, socks, a toothbrush and toothpaste, or a scarf. These are simple things – yet, things many children who eat at our Feeding Centers do not have access to. The sound of children smiling and saying “Woah!” and “Oh wow!” fill the room in this moment with the universal language of excitement and joy. This moment was brought to this child through this one simple shoebox.

Here’s my call to you: get involved with this incredible program. There are two ways you can participate. Pack your own box, or donate to Bread of Life for them to pack a box for you. Donating for the staff in Romania to create a shoebox with items purchased locally helps with efficiency and saves the cost of shipping. Either way, this small gift can bring so much joy and hope. We experience love by spreading love. I encourage you to take part in this program.

Reaghan Bryant, Volunteer