Ad·vent
noun \ˈad-ˌvent, chiefly British -vənt\
Definition: the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas and observed by some Christians as a season of prayer and fasting; the coming of Christ at the Incarnation; a coming into being or use
I'm sure many of you have celebrated "the countdown" in various different ways from eating a candy a day to daily acts of kindness to reading a portions of scripture.
This year, I invite you to read the letter below from Jenna and Jessica Metcalfe, daughters of our Program Director, Rich Metclafe. Jenna and Jessica used their creative hearts to come up with this special advent calendar. Listen in...
Over three years ago, our family felt God calling us to adopt. The process has been long and crazy, but God has opened our eyes to the huge orphan crisis around the world. We learned of the need for Christians to step up and be God’s hands and feet to reach out to His children. So often it’s easy for us to think, ‘Oh, I’m just a teenager… I can’t do anything about a big problem like this. Maybe when I grow up God will call me or show me how to help orphans.’
But God has told us as believers to help the fatherless, and there is no good reason why we shouldn’t start now. First Timothy 4:12 says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” We have the opportunity and the responsibility to use our time, energy and enthusiasm for God’s kingdom and for His glory. So let’s do it!
We’ve put together an advent calendar that counts down to Christmas from December 1st-24th. Each day there is a little instruction saying something like "Give 2 cents for every pair of shoes in your home". Also, there are two Bible references each day – one about orphans and one telling the Christmas story. We hope to raise awareness about the plight of orphans and God’s heart for them. And that from an increased awareness, we all would not only realize how blessed we are in America, but also be motivated to share from those blessings to bring physical relief, joy and purpose to orphans.
Thank you for prayerfully considering this opportunity to show the love of Jesus to so many vulnerable children.
In His love,
Jessica and Jenna
This is where you, your family, church, youth group, college group, office team, and whoever else can come in! How to get your calendar(s):
- Contact us at info@lifesongfororphans.org & order the number of calendars you need
- Lifesong will send you the Advent Calendar Kit which includes letter, instructions & calendars
- Get your group together to introduce Calendar (feel free to use Lifesong videos) and assemble (1-step process)
- On Orphan Sunday, November 4th, present idea to church and pass out calendars
- After Christmas, collect money and send in to Lifesong for Orphans
100% of the money raised will go straight to the orphans that Lifesong helps care for (that’s more than 3,500 orphans!).
Advent Calendar
ORDER YOUR CALENDAR TODAY -- info@lifesongfororphans.org