How to Involve Preschoolers in Christmas in August

“I need help, please.”

I turned around to find my preschooler trudging behind a package as he attempted to scoot it toward the door. We filled a box with school supplies for missionaries and my son could not wait to deliver it to the post office.

However, this was not just a box of supplies; it was also an opportunity for missions involvement and spiritual growth, made possible by WMU’s Christmas in August.

Every summer, WMU partners with the North American Mission Board to feature select missionaries and post online their most needed items for ministry and outreach.

Mission Friends leaders can download the missionaries’ names, addresses, and their requested items. They can also encourage their Mission Friends to collect items and mail the supplies and letters of encouragement directly to workers on the field. Missionaries, in turn, receive care packages from across the country that not only help strengthen their ministry and outreach efforts, but also encourage their hearts.

Church groups, friends, and families of all ages can be involved to make an impact for God’s kingdom through Christmas in August. And for preschoolers, this is a great time for parents and leaders to introduce them to missions opportunities as well as spiritual disciplines.

Consider the following ways preschoolers can be involved:

• Learn about missions—Preschoolers can understand that people tell others about Jesus because some people do not know about Him.

Open the Bible and read with your preschooler: Tell people about Jesus (see Matt. 28:19).

• Pray for others—Preschoolers can learn how to pray for people by name who share God’s love with others.

Open the Bible and read with your preschooler: Pray for one another (see James 5:16).

• Help others—When preschoolers have the opportunity to pick out supplies, they discover the needs of others and how they can help.

Open the Bible and read with your preschooler: Help one another (see Gal. 5:13).

• Give joyfully—By sending the requested supplies, preschoolers observe how God uses their efforts to help others know about Him.

Open the Bible and read with your preschooler: God loves a cheerful giver (see 2 Cor. 9:7).

Throughout his first Christmas in August experience, my little boy has learned what it means to pray for others, help missionaries, and give with a cheerful heart. What an opportunity God has given through Christmas in August to guide preschoolers to serve Him and others.