One of the ways we love to bless others at Christmas is by joining with our friends at Renewal Neighborhood Ministry in operating a “Christmas Store” for selected families in the neighborhoods near Post Road and 42nd Street. For $5, parents can shop at the store and select a hat, gloves, two toys, a game, and miscellaneous small presents for their kids. We then wrap the gifts and the parents take them home and put them under the tree for their kids as gifts *from the parents.*

By allowing parents to shop for their children rather than simply giving away gifts, the Christmas Store concept not only ensures that these children will get to experience the joy of receiving presents at Christmas, it also allows parents to have more input on the gifts their children will receive and to have the joy of being the ones who actually give the gifts to their children. This is an incredible opportunity for us to serve those in need in a way that honors them, respects their dignity, and opens doors for us to build relationships and share the love of Christ.