(This post was written by Gina McClain, Director of Children’s Ministries)

I was in the 5^th grade.  My church had an Angel Tree to benefit underprivileged families in the community.   I remember choosing three ‘angel’ siblings from a single family home.  Mom couldn’t afford Christmas, so we were going to take care of it for them.  We took our three wish lists and went shopping.

A few days later we gathered together at the church with our Christmas loot.  I remember the auditorium filled with toys, bikes, clothes, coats… all kinds of stuff.  The generosity was mind-blowing.  We took some time to pray as a church family before we set out to deliver our booty.  Everyone was excited.

I remember as I pushed a brand new BMX bike across the threshold of this precious families’ home.  I was amazed at the look on this 8 year old boys’ face.  He’d never owned a bike… much less a brand new one.  We spent a few minutes passing out the toys and talking with the family.  It was a great moment.

Even today, the smiles… the laugher… the tears… the memories are still vivid as if it happened yesterday.  I can’t recall what I found under our Christmas tree that day.  It didn’t seem to matter.  All other gifts paled in comparison the bigger gift I received.  The gift of giving.

At Faith Promise we also have an Angel Tree benefiting kids from Beaumont School in downtown Knoxville.  Though our ‘angels’ have all been claimed, opportunities still remain.  In fact, we’re hosting an Angel Tree Gift Wrapping Party on December 5^th @ 1:00 pm on our Pellissippi Campus.  It’s a fabulous, family-friendly opportunity to eat pizza, wrap gifts, and create memories with your kids.  Email us at [email protected] and let us know you’re coming.  See you there!