'Giving because God gave'

Thank you so much for the story about the Partlows ("Special deliveries," Nov. 13, Page G-1). Operation Christmas Child is a ministry that I have become very passionate about. In our family, we have resolved to make it an annual tradition to put together at least two boxes — one each for a boy and a girl — to send along with the thousands of others to children around the world at Christmastime.

These seemingly simple gifts are profoundly meaningful to children living in poverty. Spiritually speaking, we all are born in abject poverty. But God is rich in mercy and has lavished his love and grace on us. In light of God's generosity, I can't think of a better way to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and to show our thankfulness for these spiritual blessings, than to meet the most basic physical needs of kids around the world. This is what Christmas is all about: Giving because God gave.

KRISTOPHER S. PIERCE
Turlock