Christmas and Thanksgiving arrived early for me this year. It all came about because of my reputation as a Faith and Values columnist in The Reporter and other publications.

As a result Samaritan’s Purse, a worldwide humanitarian relief agency, invited me to be part of a media trip to Grenada to observe the distribution of shoebox gifts for poor children packed by North Americans last Christmas.

Churches I’ve served had never participated in the shoebox gift project (known as “Operation Christmas Child”), but I was familiar with the program. The concept of filling a small box that would result in a big smile on the face of child in a far away place captured my imagination. I was curious to see the program up-close and personal.

Our team of writers, broadcasters and bloggers arrived in St. Georges, Grenada almost 32 years to the day when President Reagan had sent American troops to stabilize an unstable political situation on the island nation in the Caribbean. The contrast between the resort hotel where we stayed and the living conditions in the villages was mind-boggling.

I couldn’t help but smile as I watched 400 children at a local school open their shoeboxes. The explosion of excitement was deafening. The continuous cries of glee went on for over a minute. Children from ages 5-15 were totally surprised to be handed a gift. Due to the extreme poverty of their parents, most of these kids never receive birthday gifts (let alone Christmas presents).

As these adorable children rifled through their shoeboxes, my heart melted. For a single moment the abject poverty that defined their fragile world and limited options was forgotten. Thanksgiving was still a month away, but I found myself thanking God for the benefits and blessings that punctuate my life. I was grateful for the privilege of being a means of grace in their little lives.

I was amazed to learn that each year Americans and Canadians pack over eight million shoebox gifts that are sent by container ships around the world to the poorest of the poor.

As you might guess, I returned from my trip to Grenada determined to introduce Covenant Shores on Mercer Island to this other-centered way of celebrating Christmas.

If you would like pack your own shoebox gift or find out more about Operation Christmas Child, go to www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Pastor Greg is a regular contributor to the Reporter.