Little Town of Bethlehem

Route 412 Reaching Out @ Christmastime

Route 412 (our 4th and 5th grader leadership team) had our winter outreach yesterday to HarborChase Senior Living Center. Our plan was to do a Christmas program at two of their living facilities. We were very punctual and actually arrived a half hour early so the kids were asked to play Bingo with the residents prior to our Christmas program. This may have been one of  my favorite parts of the evening. I watched how the elderly would light up as the kids excitedly squeaked in delight about winning Bingo. I also saw the kids sharing Bingo boards with the seniors and the kids would help point out to the residents when they had a winning number. What a precious moment! 

We then performed two Christmas programs. At the first living facility, the kids sang Christmas carols, read scriptures about the Christmas story, shared what they thought Christmas was all about, and painted a picture of the manger scene. The kids got a big round of applause after each song by the residents. 

 At the second facility, we did the same Christmas program. At this facility, the seniors had moderate to severe dementia so it was a unique experience for the kids. The kids again did great and were a blessing to the seniors. I am so proud of these kids going outside their comfort zone and ministering to others! The kids also passed out homemade Christmas cards that they had made special for this event.

I imagine that many of these residents may be lonely this Christmas and these kids def brought life to the facility. I want to encourage everyone to go out of their comfort zone this Christmas and reach out!!!

A special thanks to Mr. Remy who works at HarborChase and helped coordinate this event.

 Another special thanks to Ms. Mercedes for planning and implementing the entire Christmas program!

Our group picture....

Also thanks to the parents and small town leaders who came out to support!!!

We Need To Pray...

I think all of us are gut-wrenched and brokenhearted by the horrific events this morning at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. My heart and mind can't focus on anything else and my prayers continue to be cut short by tears the entire evening.

WE NEED TO PRAY...

not say we are going to pray, not make great intentions to pray... but actually pray. We need to cry out to God for these devastated families and traumatized children. It's our mandate.

Throughout the day I've come across some great resources that a lot of my friends have sent my way and I wanted to share them in case anyone has need of them.

{If you have come across some resources that have been a blessing to you, please pass them along in the comment section so that we can all benefit}

For your soul:

• "A Christmas Prayer" by Max Lucado
• "...a time to mourn..." blog post by Lindsay Leigh Bentley 
• "Parenting in the Midst of Tragedy" by Focus on the Family
• "Why God, Why?" by Focus on the Family
• "My Reaction..." by Greg Stier of Dare-2-Share

For your kids:

• "Talking to your children about the recent spate of school shootings" by the American Psychology Association
• Emotions Vocabulary Chart (we have a book like this at home that I use with the kids when they are having a hard time figuring out how they feel about something.)
• Child Stages of Grief and How To Help by Children's Grief Education Association
• "Helping Your Child Cope With Trauma" by Focus on the Family
• "Acknowledging Feelings" by Focus on the Family

For your prayers:

• Psalm 147:3- "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
  
• Psalm 73:26-  "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
• Matthew 11:28-30- "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
• John 14:27-  "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
• Psalm 55:22- "Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." 

CONNECT: AngelTree, a night of giving

Our Night of Giving was a success.....

22 Families, 43 Children from our local area were sponsored through Angel Tree.

By being a part of this program, kids will be connected with their incarcerated parent this Christmas and these kids and their families will learn of God's love for them that goes beyond what they can imagine. 

Nursing Home Residents and Prisoners will be receiving heart felt letters reminding them that they are not alone this Christmas....that God has not forgotten them. They will know they are loved.

Our own kids were a part of something much bigger than Christmas presents. They are learning that there is a world out there that is in need. A need we can respond to.

John 15:12-14

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. you are my friends if you do what I command you.

Philippians 2:4

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

Matthew 25:40

And the King will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."