Christmas, it’s one of the most celebrated times of year in the US. With millions of people traveling to visit family, trees on display, and gift exchanges with loved ones, churches across the country will overflow with visitors as they remember the glorious and scandalous birth of Jesus Christ. But many of our neighbors have significant needs this Christmas season, making the most wonderful time of the year, as the song goes, a bit daunting.
Through partnering with churches and volunteers, World Relief helped 7,948 refugees resettle in the US this year. Having fled their country from war, persecution, or natural disaster, World Relief comes alongside these new neighbors to make sure the first few months of transitioning to this new culture are as seamless as possible. In light of this and the truth of Jesus Christ’s gospel message, Christians around the country have responded to the call to welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:35).
In Fort Worth, Texas, more than 25 volunteers recently hosted a Coats & Cocoa event that provided winter items to over 350 refugees. After distributing the coats, volunteers got to visit the refugee families to share hot cocoa and sing Christmas carols – sharing some of the cheerful American traditions with their new neighbors who might have never experienced these before. One refugee kept saying, “Praise God! Praise God!” when coats were given to her family.
With an overabundance of winter gear donations for the event, Fort Worth will be able to provide for the needs of refugees that will be resettled in the coming months as well. This is another great example of the local church doing what Jesus did – sharing God’s love through tangible provision, relationship and compassion.
Join us as we continue to welcome families from all over the world to celebrate this cherished and treasured season.
For more information on how you can get involved in welcoming refugees, please contact your local World Relief office. Visit https://worldrelief.org/us-offices.