It literally looks like a beautifully decorated and merchandised store. When the family arrives, they first have their family holiday portrait made, courtesy of MasterColor Photography. Many of these families have never had such a portrait made before!

Those with younger children then proceed to our Early Childhood Center, where they will leave their children. The children will be entertained by a ballet that depicts the story of Christ’s birth, and have an opportunity to make a Christmas present for their parents and other crafts as well as have a snack. Meanwhile, the parents enter the store to shop. Each family is asked to make a $1 donation to help support the ministry and pay for wrapping paper and beverages, etc.

Once the family has checked in, they are partnered with a personal shopper who assists them as they shop. Each family receives the following for each child in their family:
a pair of jeans,
a sweater or sweatshirt,
a t-shirt,
a toy,
a book, and
a coat, hoodie, or pajamas.

Of course, they get to decide which item they want to select in each product category. All of their items are then gift wrapped.

While that is happening, they can enjoy a hot beverage and a cookie or visit with a member of the prayer team. One of our Reindeer Runners then assists them in putting their packages in their car and retrieving their children.

All of this takes about an hour and a half, and is filled with opportunities for conversations, fun, and laughter, which fills the store along with happy tearful smiles and many warm hugs.

We have seen the number of partner churches grow from 8 to 28 in just 4 years, serving 4 times
as many families as we did that first year. We have a tradition that at the end of each Christmas
Store Planning Meeting we circle up in prayer. Now that circle encompasses the circumference
of a large room, and includes people from different ethnicities, socioeconomic groups,
geographic locations, and different walks of life all united as one in our love for Christ and our
commitment to serve families in need in Greensboro and to demonstrate the Gospel. Each year
we grow in our faith, and consider our planning season to be a journey in faith and trust in the
Lord that helps us all to grow spiritually. I believe that our shopping families sense this when
they come into our presence and I believe that as a result there is a strong presence of the
Holy Spirit in the Christmas Store. It’s about more than gifts. It demonstrates the abundance of
God’s never ending love for each of us. It provides a platform for spiritual connections to take
place that transcend boundaries of race, denomination, or culture. It illustrates so clearly the
results of faith in a God that knows no bounds for His blessings. For everyone who participates,
shoppers and volunteers, is blessed and filled to overflowing with His love.