Angel Tree Remembers Forgotten Children
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14 | NIV)
You can make a difference in the life of a young child this Christmas. Angel Tree reaches out to neglected children, partnering with people like you to bring them a gift and hope.
No matter how adults choose to behave, if there are children involved, they often suffer far more then their parents, grandparents, and other influential relatives and caregivers.
Children whose parents are imprisoned are often scorned, forgotten, even abused, carrying around a burden that no child is meant to shoulder. Many youngsters internalize their problems, storing up years of hurt only to lash out in socially destructive ways later on, getting caught up in the same cycle of despair as their parents.
Angel Tree Shines Brightly
These children haven’t escaped the watchful eye of Prison Fellowship, whose Angel Tree program is busy trying to ease the burden for children of the incarcerated, by bringing gifts to them for Christmas and by making it easier for their parents to communicate with them.
“When Christians care for the children of prisoners, I think it’s a remarkable witness to the love of Christ,” said Mark Earley, president of Prison Fellowship. “Nothing can replace the love of a mother or father in the life of a child, which is why Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree shows these children that their mom or dad – even though in prison – still loves them and is thinking about them at this special time of year.”
Your Help Is Needed
According to the US Department of Justice, there are 1.7 million children in the United States who have a mother or father in prison. The Angel Tree program provides gift for these children in their parent’s name, but this year Prison Fellowship says that they still need 50,000 people to step up and help out.
For $35.20 a child can receive a personal message from his/her incarcerated parent, a Christmas gift, and an age appropriate children’s book that presents the love Jesus Christ has for him or her. If you are being led to help, please visit AngelTree.org or call (800) 552-6435 to find out about providing a Christmas gift for a child in your area. Keep in mind that Christmas Eve, which is this coming Thursday, is the last day that a donation can be made in time for Christmas.
Impacting Children For Decades
The Angel Tree program got started in 1982, and has helped more than 7.5 million children of prisoners who have received some 16 million Christmas gifts. Prison Fellowship sees the program as just a beginning, a way to touch the lives of hurting children, begin reconciliation with their parents, and bring to them hope in Jesus Christ.
Source: Prison Fellowship
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Our church has been involved in this ministry for years and I have always loved being part of it. It is a fantastic ministry. I have always found it makes Christmas time a little richer and more meaningful when you remember others who are not so fortunate.
.-= Dominique´s last blog ..a change in DIRECTION… =-.
Dominique, it warms my heart when churches undertake an important and personal mission of reaching out to those who are neglected. Who more than the children of those who are incarcerated?
I’m thankful that your church is standing in the gap. Though my church isn’t directly involved, my family will be making our Angel Tree donation in time for Christmas.
Bless you!
Matt,
Thanks for highlighting this great ministry. I’ve made a donation this year.
.-= Lillie Ammann´s last blog ..Scripture for the Third Friday in Advent =-.
Lillie, thank you for being a blessing to these children. The world may have forgotten them, but we haven’t.
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