The Spirit of Charity: There is absolutely nothing better than teaching your children how to give. Sometimes we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays that we forget what Christmas is really about. Does your family take to heart the way others live around them? Do your children realize that there are many families that are less fortunate than they are? If you haven't done so already, Christmas is a wonderful time of the year to instill in your children the compassionate art of giving...
In my family this year we are offering our time to help a ministry give toys to families who would otherwise go without this holiday season and I am thrilled about being given this opportunity. In the past the kids and I had a good time together preparing boxes for the Samaritan’s Purse. This is a ministry where you put toys, candy and other great little items in a shoe box to be shipped overseas to needy children. What a great way to share the Christmas spirit of love and giving.
You may want to consider offering your time and effort to places in need of help, like a soup kitchen, a convalescent home, Toys for Tots, The Salvation Army, The Samaritan's Purse, or just giving in some way to churches and other non-profit organizations. Be sure to get your kids involved with this sort of holiday cheer and give them the opportunity to see what it is like volunteering their help and contributions to those who are less advantaged than they are.
Also, you can look for articles in the local newspaper that has subjects pertaining to charities and good deeds. Read them together as a family, clip them out and hang them on the refrigerator, or you may even want to make a temporary scrapbook for them. All in all, take the time out of your busy holiday season this year to teach your children the unselfish expression of sacrifice!
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Oh, I just love Samaritan's Purse! It is one of my favorite charties! We made a shoe box for them this year. That was special! It really is better to give than to receive!
What a nice idea. We have something similar to the Samaritan's Purse here and it's as much fun preparing the boxes with my son as it is finally giving the box away. I don't think he fully appreciates yet the 'meaning' behind the act, though.
Following from MBC.
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http://kiddietreasures.blogspot.com
This is a great idea. My children unfortunately think about one thing when it comes to christmas and it is- "what am I getting?" (No one to blame but me, I know) I think this year some humility is in order considering how difficult the economy is!
This is a really wonderful idea! I am hoping that as my daughter gets older I can really instill the giving back idea of Christmas in her.
Following you now from MBC!
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Great ideas! I think nowadays, children forget about the importance of giving. It's up to us to help them understand and recognize the importance of this. Am following you now.
Blia from MBC
http://superheroesmom.com
Hi, following from MBC!
Great idea! Following from MBC hope to see you at http://luvsjurn3.blogspot.com soon.
What great ideas. Another lovely blog.
I am now following you.
What great ideas. My child is still too young to understand Christmas, but I would like to teach him that there is more to it than just receiving gifts.
Stopping by from SITS to say hi.
Hi there! I loved this post. We are always talking about this at our house...the real meaning of Christmas. It is so easy to get all wrapped up in the commercialism and forget about what Christ really taught. We give through Heifer International each year. It is a great project and kids really understand the idea of giving animals to families that can use them to farm, for eggs, milk, etc. Our children get very excited each year! Thanks for the awesome post. I am following you now from MBC. Looking forward to reading more! organicmotherhoodwithcoolwhip.com
Teaching children about the true nature of christmas - it's all about giving not receiving. Such an important life lesson to impart -all year round!
Claire McFee Author
Organize Your Life
What great ideas. We do things to help out this time of year. I love giving and no one knowing we are the ones doing it.
Great post! Its so easy for kids, especially, to get caught up in all the commercialism of Christmas. Its such a great time to help the learn compassion and empathy!
There is a great e-book from Life2 (and its free) full of ideas about how to make Xmas more meaningful...http://su.pr/50ArHp
Love your blog! Am following you from MBC!! Please subscribe to my blog ~ http://shellilynn.wordpress.com
Lots of life lessons to be learned by doing this...
Stopping by to welcome you to SITS. I know that you will enjoy being a part of this vibrant community of bloggers :-)
great idea...
wonderful post..
following via MBC...Hope you will follow back...
Samaritan's Purse is such an amazing charity.
Welcome to the SITS community!
Thanks for this lovely seasonal post, and for focusing us on what Christmas really means...Listen, I wanted to thank you soooooooo much for stopping by on my Special SITS Day. It’s taken me a while to get back, but I hope to see you around the blogosphere again soon!
The feeling of giving is like getting the best thing in return, a smile on someone ease's face.
It's great to hear what others are doing.
Welcome to SITS! It's nice to have you join the SITSerhood.
I'm hosting a great giveaway, come on over! :D
Dropping by from MBC. Great post on teaching your children how to get involved. We have participated in Samaritan's purse too.
http://atticgirl.blogspot.com/2009/12/hop-skip-jump-some-white-hot-chocolate.html
I totally agree with you. Kids need to feel the spirit of giving and know there is more to Christmas than just GETTING things. Just stopping over from SITS to welcome you to the SITSahood!
What great lessons for your children!
I stopped by to welcome you to SITS! It's great to have you in the SITStahood!
Thank you for the nice thoughts, it's important for us to remember the true meaning of Christmas and to teach our kids to serve each other.
We "adopted" a family through the YWCA and were secret santas for them. We also organized a Gingerbread House making party for the kids at our local homeless shelter.
Anyway, the original reason I came by was to welcome you to SITS! We're so glad you joined us!