The opportunity to get involved in Angel Tree starts today, Sunday November 3.
Angel Tree is a Prison Fellowship program where churches volunteer to purchase and deliver gifts for children on behalf of their incarcerated parent.
At first families may feel uncomfortable discussing difficult topics like incarceration with their children. However, carefully and age appropriately discussing social issues with children can create an empathetic and socially compassionate child who is on a mission to spread God’s love throughout their community.
When my daughter was in pre-school we took part in Angel Tree. We delivered gifts to children’s homes. On a child-appropriate level, we explained to our daughter how hard it is for some children who have to be away from their parents over Christmas. She was empathetic understanding the difficulty of families not being together on Christmas. It was pure joy to see her participating in Angel Tree through playing with the children while I talked to the parents. She was thrilled to carry and deliver every gift, and it warmed my soul to see her spreading the mission of God’s love in this way!
This was her first experience however, eight years later, she still helps to deliver Angel Tree gifts. This past year because of her boldness we were able to pray for a family as we delivered the gifts. Through this experience the Lord used my daughter to minister to me as well as the family with which we prayed.
I pray we will step out together and take this opportunity to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas through sharing the message of hope in Jesus to hurting families. There are so many ways to volunteer for Angel Tree. So stop by the table in the Lobby after the service and find the best way for you and your family to get involved.