The Joy Giving Brings

There is something special about watching a child open a Christmas gift.



I have had the privilege of watching children receive Christmas shoeboxes many times over the years, but the excitement never gets old. A carefully wrapped box lands in their hands, and suddenly the air fills with anticipation and curiosity. Then you see smiles that seem to grow bigger with every item they discover.


For some of these children, receiving a gift is not something they expect. They didn't earn it. They didn't do anything to deserve it. Someone they may never meet chose to give because they wanted that child to experience the joy of Christmas.


Perhaps that is one reason these moments touch me so deeply.

At Christmas, we celebrate a gift that none of us could earn or deserve. God, in His great love for us, gave us His Son. Jesus came into our world to offer forgiveness, hope, and eternal life—not because we earned it, but because God loved us.


“For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 6:23



When I watch a child excitedly tear away the paper and discover what is inside, I am reminded of the simple joy of receiving a gift freely given.


That is what we hope each Christmas shoebox communicates. Yes, there are toys, school supplies, hygiene items, and other useful things inside. But our prayer is that every child will discover something even greater: They are remembered, they are loved, and there is a God who has given them the greatest gift of all.

This Christmas, our goal is to create and distribute 3,000 Christmas shoeboxes to children in Romania and Ukraine—and you can help in two ways.



The simplest and most economical way is to give online. Your donation lets our staff in Romania purchase items locally, prepare each shoebox, and place it directly into a child's hands. If you enjoy packing a shoebox yourself, you can also download our shoebox form and packing guide, fill your box, and send it to us for distribution.


Whichever way you choose to participate, thank you for helping us share the joy of an unexpected gift—and, most importantly, the good news of Jesus, the greatest gift of all.

Donate to Create a Shoebox Gift Download Form

Thank you for your interest in Bread of Life Ministries. We have been able to accomplish a lot with the help of our supporters around the world. There is still more for us to do. Please prayerfully consider how you might help support Bread of Life as we provide support to children and families in need.

Become A Partner

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