As Christmas approaches, many churches will be looking to serve others – an impulse largely motivated by the Christian belief that the birth of Jesus of Nazareth was God’s act of self-giving love to the world.
In response to this loving gift, Christians look to incarnate (enflesh) their love and gratitude in the world.
Recently, a congregant shared his concerns with me about how this generous impulse finds expression through local support of Operation Christmas Child. An initiative of Samaritan’s Purse, OCC invites Churches (mostly in the Western world) to fill shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items to be sent to children in more than 170 countries. Many young shoebox recipients then go through an OCC evangelization course.
Years ago I participated in OCC, but after coming across books like When Helping Hurts and Toxic Charity, and learning from people who live among vulnerable children in other parts of the world, I have come to see some of the unintended consequences of initiatives like OCC – mixing the message of Christ’s birth with consumerism and materialism, local economic disruption, waste as items are sent to places where they are inappropriate, and disempowerment.
The incarnation – the love of God enfleshed in the person of Jesus – is about the gift of embodied presence more than plastic presents. This Christmas, may we all seek to love people in ways that respect the dignity of all.
