THE service at Crediton Methodist Church on Shoebox Sunday, November 17, was led by Chris Mann, when the theme was “Let love be real in giving and receiving”.

Shoeboxes and money towards transport were brought to the front of the church for distribution to people in Moldova or Ukraine through the organisation, Cr2ee - Christian Response to Eastern Europe.

Chris can remember being part of this congregation many years ago when the idea of shoeboxes was first broached and also can remember how simple and powerful that idea was to him.

To see that it is still happening some 20 or more years later and to see the response that we as a church are giving to this appeal fills him with joy.It is a sign of the love of Christ in the world.

Sometimes, as Christians, we become overwhelmed by the sheer amount of need.We remember those places where there is devastation either through conflict or natural disasters, where there is uncertainty and unrest, where there is pain and suffering and we often feel impotent to do anything other than pray.

It is important to be able to do something that is tangible and real that allows us to glimpse the love of Christ.

The reason that Christ came in the first place to be fully human was to show us what it means to follow God and to live as part of God’s family.

We have these shoeboxes in front of us. This is a sure sign that Christmas is coming and that the Christ-child is about to arrive.

It is our way of showing that love.For the people who are receiving them it is a real sense of Christ’s love.

People many hundreds of miles away know that they are in need of the help from these shoeboxes and will feel a real sense of being loved and will see the love of Christ in action.

Chris hoped and prayed that we will be able to overcome poverty and that shoeboxes will not be needed in Moldova and Romania much longer.If that is the case, he hoped that we will be ready to show the love of Christ to the next places that need to receive the love of Christ in action.

Thank you all for the love and care you have shown in preparing these boxes and please be aware of the love and joy with which they will be received.

These shoeboxes show that we understand the needs in the world and that we understand the needs of others.

We have acted by bringing these boxes of Christmas cheer this morning and people many miles away will receive them with joy and thankfulness. We have acted to show the love of Christ.

Do not be afraid to receive that love of Christ when you are in need too. God has no favourites.

Christ came to redeem all and to show us how to live and love. Be willing not just to give but also to receive that love.

Bronwyn Nott