Quote from Forum Archives on November 24, 2001, 9:23 am

Posted by: homenews <homenews@...>

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THE HOPE CHEST: Ideas and Inspiration for Home Education
Issue #46 part 2
November/December 2001
A Cross-Cultural Christmas
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WELCOME TO THE HOPE CHEST!
The Hope Chest Home School News is a free bi-monthly e-mail newsletter
with encouragement and practical teaching tips.
Web page: www.homestead.com/hopechest/welcome.html

Personal e-mail: [email protected]

Subscription address: [email protected]

This is part 2 of 4 for this issue. In it, you will find:

A Cross-Cultural Christmas by Virginia Knowles
World Crafts: Christmas Presents with a Difference
by Jennifer Lane
Samaritan’s Purse: Gifts for the Hurting World
by Virginia Knowles
A Psalm from My Heart by Virginia Knowles

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A CROSS-CULTURAL CHRISTMAS
by Virginia Knowles
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When I think about the winter holidays, I know that much of our behavior
is determined by our own culture: the stories we are told, the music we
hear in the malls, the expectations of our family and friends, the
decorating habits of our neighbors, what’s hot at the toy store... Ours
is largely a culture of materialism, with a "gimme" mentality so
prevalent about this time of year. I don’t know how many of you admonish
your children, "It’s the people, not the presents, that count!" It seems
like I say the same thing over and over again each year. Yet each year
countless moms and dads like me still get sucked into the rat race of
endless rounds of Christmas shopping for people who may or may not be
satisfied with the results. This can cause such tension in many families!

Perhaps this year, with news reports about Americans scaling back on
spending, some of the pressure will be off. My parents and siblings have
already agreed not to exchange gifts among the adults this Christmas.
This year for my own household, I am planning to walk into my local
Christian bookstore and get almost all of it over in one stop. They have
a great selection of Bibles, books, music, toys, and inspirational home
decorations. After all, shouldn’t we be giving gifts which encourage our
loved ones to seek the One who started Christmas in the first place? Then
I’ll also give each of my children some money to spend at AFTER Christmas
sales.

After I think about my own American Christmas experience, my thoughts
turn to a more cross-cultural perspective. It sure is fun to try out
holiday foods, crafts, decorations and activities which are popular in
other lands. The Christmas season can offer a treasure trove of geography
and history ideas for home school families! Our local library has lots of
books about Christmas customs around the world. It would be interesting
to do a little study on which elements of the holiday are universal, and
which are ethnic or regional. This might change our perceptions about
what is necessary for "doing Christmas right." Could we try something
different for once?

But this is all earthy stuff, a mere shadow of the reality. As John
Bunyan, the 17th century English theologian, wrote: "The love of our Lord
Jesus Christ to poor sinners, prevailed with him to lay aside his glory,
to leave the heavenly place, to clothe himself with flesh, to be born in
a stable, to be laid in a manger, to live a poor life in the world, to
take upon him our sorrows, our infirmities, our pains, our sins, our
curse, and the wrath that was due to man; and all this he did for a base,
undeserving, unthankful people, yea, that were at enmity with him."

Talk about culture shock! (I guess God could handle this just fine, but
it sure would throw me for a loop!) Why did he come? To die on the CROSS
for our sins, and to call us to the true "CROSS culture" laid out in
Matthew 16:24: "Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come
after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’"

I am so grateful for the many dear believers in Jesus who have been such
a shining example of this to me, and I only hope that this will be at the
heart of our holidays this year.

[The next two articles give us a way to "be the hands of Jesus" in the
true spirit of Christmas!]

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World Crafts: Christmas Presents with a Difference
by Jennifer Lane
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Last Christmas I purchased ornaments for our children and several gifts
through World Crafts. World Crafts is a ministry of Women's Missionary
Union of the Southern Baptist Convention. World Crafts includes a large
selection of handmade items made by craftspeople from around the world.
The laborers are paid a fair wage for their work which helps them meet
the needs of their families. Many of those involved in the this ministry
are Christians who have been led to Christ through SBC missionaries. Some
are non-Christians who are taught a skill to help their families and are
involved in regular Bible Study with missionaries. Purchasing items
through World Crafts helps missionaries reach out to those around them,
helps craftspeople and their families and helped me find unique gifts.

Our family talked about each country and the people who made the
ornaments and then we prayed for them. When we take them out again this
year we will do the same. Extended family members were pleased to learn
about the uniqueness of their gifts, also.

The World Crafts catalog is a beautiful, full-color publication with many
details about the products, the countries and the craftspeople. To
acquire a current World Crafts catalog:
Web site: www.wmustore.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (800) 968-7301
Mail: Women's Missionary Union, SBC
PO Box 830711
Birmingham, AL 35283-0711

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Samaritan’s Purse: Gifts for the Hurting World
by Virginia Knowles
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Most of you are familiar with the gift boxes that Samaritan’s Purse
collects to send to needy children around the world each year. I know
many of you have had the same fun we have to put these together! But did
you know that this some wonderful organization has other Christmas giving
opportunities that don’t require shopping?

Can you imagine giving a bunch of baby chicks? Well, you can! For a mere
$5, you or your child can provide a poor family with the means to start
their own little money-making, sustenance-providing flock! Or if you’re
in a playful mood, you can order a soccer ball ($8) to be sent to a
village where children just have don’t toys to play with! Shivering with
excitement? Warm up to the idea of giving a toasty blanket ($6) to a
child whose home was destroyed by war or natural disaster. Feeling like a
big spender? Go for the gift of a Family Survival Kit ($45), a winter
coat ($40), an emergency shelter ($80), a bicycle ($95) for a native
mission worker, or a medical bag ($95)! There are lots more gifts in this
beautiful full-color catalog, including a page spread of affordable gifts
for children to give. If you’re really into it, can I interest you in a
house in El Salvador for $2,500? Do you need to "get something" for
someone who has everything already? Then pick out a gift from Samaritan’s
Purse catalog and send it in their honor! 🙂

Dearest friends, I see this as such a prime opportunity to get your
children excited about GIVING with a purpose in the spirit of the Lord
Jesus!
Get the catalog!
Call 1-800-353-5957
Web: www.samaritanspurse.org

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A Psalm from My Heart
by Virginia Knowles
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Lord Jesus, without your grace, who could stand?
Without you, we would be desolate and imperiled,
for our many sins have earned us fierce judgment.
My mind is filled with awe at the terrible wrath
which would be poured out on me,
were I not already covered with your atoning blood,
shed on the cross where I deserved to die.
You were the unblemished Sacrifice Lamb;
now you are the Risen King, holy and merciful.
You are splendid in your majesty,
even more so in your tenderness.
You always live to intercede for us
at the right hand of the Righteous Father.
You are preparing a place in heaven for me,
your unworthy servant.
Even now, I may boldly approach your royal throne,
with worship and petition,
and find a lavish portion of mercy and grace
uniquely designed just for me.
As my Sovereign, you abundantly meet my needs of
body, soul and spirit,
that I might glorify your name with my words and deeds.
May your name be exalted!