The year that I was in the 4th grade my dad had 3 heart attacks before Christmas. We knew ahead of time that there was going to be NO presents. We didn't have enough money for food and utilities, let alone gifts.
On the 23rd we had a visit from a local church (not the church we attended, I don't think. Altho my mom told me today that it was. I don't really know. I was young
) Anyhow, they came in lugging boxes...........and boxes............and boxes............and boxes of stuff!!
They loaded our kitchen table with food things. The fun part was that they had wrapped every single can, bag, loaf of bread, everything!!!
The 5 of us had the best time opening all of those "gifts"!!!
And then they left my parents with boxes of things for Christmas morning. The only thing I had hoped for that year was a Barbie doll. I knew it was impossible tho. So imagine my surprise when I opened the gifts from the church on Christmas morning and found Barbie, Ken, Midge, and Skipper. Along with tons and tons of clothes for all of them!!
The best part of that experience wasn't the gifts. It was experiencing the love of God's people first-hand. It's something I will never forget. And it has had a life-long affect on what I do for others at Christmas time ('nuff said)