During the Advent season, Christ Church focused on sharing the love of Jesus with our neighbors near and far through tangible acts of service. From a bustling warehouse floor to the quiet gathering spaces of our Fellowship Hall, parishioners of all ages gave their time, energy, and generosity as part of two meaningful outreach efforts: Operation Christmas Child package sorting and the Advent Food Drive.
On December 6, a group of Christ Church volunteers traveled to the Operation Christmas Child warehouse in Coppell to assist with the critical work of sorting shoebox gifts destined for children around the world.
For four hours, individuals, families, and small groups worked side by side in a fast-paced warehouse environment—opening and inspecting shoeboxes, removing prohibited items, and adding toys when needed. There was focused attention, shared laughter, and a clear sense of purpose as each box was prepared with care.
In the midst of the work, volunteers paused together for a meal, a small reminder that this labor was rooted not just in efficiency, but in community and love for children they may never meet, yet deeply care about.
Closer to home, the Christ Church Fellowship Hall became a visible sign of generosity throughout Advent as parishioners participated in the Advent Food Drive in partnership with God’s Pantry in Plano.
Beginning the First Sunday of Advent and continuing through December 14, donations of canned goods and pantry staples steadily filled the space around the Nativity display. Week by week, bags and boxes of food accumulated—mac and cheese, rice, canned vegetables, cereal, and other essentials—offered as prayers made visible for neighbors across Collin County facing food insecurity.
Families brought donations during Sunday worship, others added items while attending the Advent Gift Market on December 7, and volunteers regularly organized and sorted the growing collection. The presence of the Nativity scene in the midst of all the food donations served as a quiet theological reminder: as Jesus was born in great humility — he knew poverty, homelessness, hunger, and even displacement as a refugee — we find him present still with the least of these (Matthew 25:40).
Together, these efforts reflected a shared posture of Advent waiting—not passive, but active; not inward-looking, but outward-facing. Through service, Christ Church embodied the good news of the season, bearing witness to a hope that moves hands, fills tables, and makes the love of Jesus tangible to the world he comes to restore.
