Couldn't be a better time to share the love of Jesus than in the glowing, festive season of expectation that Christmas brings with it. And Christmas is definitely about giving... so I have a wonderful outreach idea for blessing children, that includes a free PDF you can print out.
The bare bones...
This is basically a 'be excellent in character' message from Jesus that incorporates a future hope along with the reason for Christmas. The 'character' theme is fun because we will be including a lego 'character kit' as part of the gift.
It is designed "2-up" and will be printed on both sides, cut in half and folded "card style".
The Message...
(Here is the body of the message included in the PDF):
I know Christmas is my birthday celebration, and usually the birthday boy is the one who gets the cards. But I wanted to give you something in this very special season because you are very special to me.
It is a 'busy-busy' season, but we can learn a lot from the wise men that visited me on my birthday. They stopped their worldly activities, sought the Savior, and offered a special gift to me.
Just as Christmas decorations make our homes pretty, so our lives can be beautiful when they are “decorated” with 'godly character' such as kindness, love, giving, faithfulness, gentleness, contentment and respect for others.
On that first Christmas morning, I may have been just a baby, but I had you in mind. Long before you were born, I knew you. I came because I love you. Just like there is a plan for this fun character you build… I have a great plan for you! Here is a special word from Me to you:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:1-3Someday we will meet face to face. Until then, keep building godly character. Have a very Merry Christmas.
Love, Jesus
Things you will need:
• Preferably yellow copy paper, cardstock weight if you can.
• A lego or lego-style mini character kit
• Christmas treat bag
*Note: I used a 'knock-off' of lego to keep the costs down. I was able to find them sold in lots of '10' (bulk) on ebay. We wrote "Merry Christmas" and my son signed his name before we taped the lego kit down... so it's like a nice surprise found after the kit is removed.
I simply tape the lego 'character kit' on the inside of the card. |
It's getting harder and harder to speak "Jesus" in schools today so I'm always on the look-out for ways to keep the door open. In my case, the school ships the kids in a bus on fridays to the church across the street for "Religious Enrichment"... an opt program that must be parent-approved, and YAY, it's just Christian. Every kid in the class has consent & goes to it! But that is my back up plan....we are going to try our "Building Good Character" gift as an elementary school Christmas party gift. Where will you use it? Homeless shelters, neighborhood kids, those once-a-year visitors at your Christmas church services... be creative!
I want to encourage any of you... especially if you are in an 'easy' community that hasn't succumbed to the pressures of atheistic culture, and if everyone is just fine with Jesus... to not be afraid to let the majority rule. Make it known to the PTA that real Christmas songs are important to you & not white-washed 'holiday' mumbo jumbo. Vie for the contested live nativity in the next town. Encourage carolers and be a cocoa or snack stop for them. There is so much we can do to spread the joy and message of Jesus our Emmanuel. It is only going to close up and clamp down more and more and the world needs you to stand for Jesus... for these little ones that need to HEAR.
Printable PDF ------>