I heard recently that a number of people are getting really upset that their shoe boxes distributed under Operation Christmas Child by Samaritan’s Purse might be being used to spread the Christian message.
Oh yes, it seems that in many areas where the shoe boxes are distributed, local churches are involved in helping out and teaching about God.
Why are people getting upset? Because of the religious zealots using this humanitarian exercise to share their faith (at least, that seems to be the problem).
The thing is, Christmas is a Christian festival. Jesus was the original “Christmas Child”. If the programme were called “Operation Yom Kippur” or “Operation Ramadan” would it be so surprising to catch Jewish or Islamic elements in the distribution?
Helper: “Here’s a lovely gift from people in England for Operation Christmas Child”
Child: “What’s Christmas?”
Helper: “I can’t tell you as people might get upset” or “It’s the most wonderful news about someone called Jesus” (Helper to delete inappropriate answer).
