Half of the fun of our Christmas Gift Fund is knowing that soon enough, boys and girls will receive wonderful presents from you, their sponsors.

The other half is anticipating the photos of children thrilled to receive these presents, surprised by the generosity and so thankful for the gift.

In some ways, these photos remind us of how we are to embrace the birth of Christ -- a gift without measure, unquestionably generous and worthy of praise.

That's why we love these this photo from a Christmas party at one of our projects in Honduras. Such quiet joy in his face!

But the children receive more than presents. Most projects serve a special meal. Some also put on a special Christmas presentation, complete with the story of the birth of Christ as the kids perform a play or other songs and activities. This is a hugely important outreach to the community and parents.

Thank you for helping us share the joy of Christ this season. It does more than simply put a smile on the face of a child -- it helps bring hope, truth, life, love, and mercy to entire communities in a tangible way. To see how the Christmas Gift Fund has been used in the past, click this link.

Your gifts to the Christmas Gift Fund ensure that each child gets a present... but our staff goes further than that when it comes to celebrating Christ's birth! Check out these photos from the Dominican Republic!

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Do you attend a special Christmas concert or play each year? Christmas provides a unique opportunity for our programs in countries where the story of Jesus' birth is not as well known. Read on for insight into these special Christmas performances and what they mean in different countries.

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Your sponsored child may live halfway around the world, but you have more in common than you think in terms of Christmas traditions... especially food! We even included some recipes if you'd like to try something different this year!

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It's that time of year -- time for the sweetest photos that make you laugh out loud. Our friends and ministry partners in Swaziland, Children's Cup, know how to throw a party, especially if it's celebrating Jesus!

If you want to see more of this awesome party, click to read more. In the accompanying photo gallery you'll see what it’s like for a child to encounter Jesus and the celebration of His birth in a whole new way... from the child's perspective!

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In the coming weeks you should receive a Christmas card from your sponsored child, and on it will be Christmas wishes in their own hand. We love this time of year because you can see the anticipation of Christmas in the children's heartfelt wishes. 

But very few of the children in our programs speak English -- so what do their Christmas wishes look like?

In most of the countries in which we work, the language spoken does not use a Latin or Roman alphabet such as what we use in English or what many of the countries in Africa or Central America use above. 

Yet the result is just as beautiful. Several countries, such as the Philippines and India, have regions that use different languages or dialects, which are represented below.

And then there's the Middle East, where Christ and the Christmas season was born. What wonderful wishes!

It's a bit early to wish you a Merry Christmas, but we can't help getting in the spirit! 

If our recent post about the Christmas Gift Fund got you thinking about sending a Christmas gift on your own, we have two words for you: please don't.

Okay, two more: here's why...

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Do you want to make sure your sponsored child gets a Christmas present this year? It's easy to do and it means SO much to your sponsored child.

Here's how you can make a huge difference... even if it's only October!

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Photos and reports of project Christmas parties are beginning to trickle in. If you wondered what the projects are able to do with your donations to the Christmas Gift Fund, these pictures will give you an idea of the joy a simple gift can bring.

Click here to see a gallery. Thank you for helping us give each child a gift this year!

Our projects in Swaziland throw Jesus a birthday party for Christmas. Do you want in on the fun?

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If your sponsored child wants to know how you celebrate Christmas, this Tuesday's tip has some things you should know before you write back!

The message on your sponsored child's Christmas card may be short, but it provides many cultural clues. Here are some examples... and please, share your own!

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A few weeks back we offered some easy suggestions for sending your sponsored child a card for Christmas in addition to providing a Christmas gift.

The other day we received a great example of how simple it is to bless your sponsored child. Nate and Josi B. sent in Christmas cards for the children they sponsor. A sweet Christmas card with a short handwritten note, along with a photo and a postcard will be sent to each child.

You don't have to write the type of year-in-review update you may send in Christmas cards to your neighbors or friends. And your sponsored child might like to see some of the snowy winter scenes or Christ-centered art on many Christmas cards today.

So if you haven't already, please consider sending a short note to your sponsored child. The sooner you send it, the sooner (and closer to Christmas) your child will receive it.

A few sentences will reinforce the idea that you remember and care for them. This upcoming season can be busy, but that shouldn't stop us from spreading good cheer and a reminder of God's great love.

Our shopping list for Christmas is a long one. What do you get almost 40,000 children? We believe that each child deserves to receive something at Christmas as a reminder of what we all received when Jesus came to earth. So here’s how we go about finding gifts for all of them...

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Children in Mission of Mercy's programs are so incredibly sweet. One of our favorite times of year is after Christmas, when the children begin writing letters to their sponsors, thanking them for the gifts they received. Their joy is evident:

“I love you so much because God put in your heart bless my life.” – Tania, 10 years old, Honduras

“I feel happy to have such a good sponsor. I thank you for the so cute gift I received on Christmas.” – Mario, 8 years old, Dominican Republic

“I say hi with lots of love wishing that God pour rich blessings. First of all I want to thank you for the Christmas gift. I got a shirt that was my size. It fits very well and I like it a lot. I want to tell you that I accepted Christ as my personal Savior. I am very happy. I am very glad of the project’s teachings. I’m in this project thanks to you because you’re helping me. I love you a lot.” – Karen, 10 years old, Honduras

“Hello! How are you? I am fine with my family. I thank you so much for the gift and to know that you love me so much. God bless you.” – Lucia, 11 years old, Mozambique

“I write to thank you for the Christmas gift. It was very pretty. I felt very happy because I didn’t have a shirt for Christmas and my dad also thank you. I ask the Creator of heaven to take care of you and bless you and your family every day. I carry you in my heart and my mind. I thank you for everything that you have done for me. I wish the best for you and I send a big hug and a kiss so that you can know I carry you in my heart. I say bye with lots of love.” – Dania, 10 years old, Honduras

The gifts may be small by our standards – warm clothes, new shoes, a backpack – but the blessing is tremendous. Receiving a present from you reinforces what they are being told at the center: you are loved, by God and by others. Please consider giving a financial gift to the Christmas Gift Fund.

Your sponsored child will receive a gift through the Christmas Gift Fund, but what if you want to send a card as well? These suggestions make it easy to send a little Christmas in an envelope! Check out A Sponsor's Journal for more...

Are you already thinking about Christmas? We are. Each year, we offer an easy way to provide a gift for your sponsored child. Here's the first step...

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