Christmas is probably one of the most exciting times of the year for children as they anticipate opening up the mysterious boxes under the Christmas tree. Sadly, there are children here and around the world who have nothing to look forward to on that day.

So many have had their lives torn apart, losing their homes, their parents and families to disease, hunger, conflicts and national disasters.

Each year Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian relief organization led by Franklin Graham, through their project Operation Christmas Child brings gift-filled shoeboxes to children here and to over 100 countries around the world. Would you please consider filling one or more shoeboxes with a special toy, personal items like soap, face cloth, comb, school supplies and hard candy?

Just decide if it is for a girl or boy and which age group; 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. They suggest putting a $7 donation in an envelope inside the box to cover shipping, securing the box with a rubber band. Take them to Trinity Lutheran Church the week of Nov. 14-21 (call them for times of collection).

Each child will receive a book about Jesus and be invited to take a 12-week course to learn about Him. After completion, they get a diploma and New Testament bible and can make a decision to accept Him as Lord. More than 7.4 million children worldwide have enrolled in the course since 2010 and 3.3million have accepted Christ as their Savior.

This is the next generation that we are impacting, so what better way to show them that they are loved and special? After all isn’t giving what Christmas it is all about, “for He gave His only begotten Son.”