Christmas gifts for those less fortunate

Given the state of the economy, it's likely that many children will not receive the presents from Santa Claus that are on their wish list. That's where Student Santas, an organization started by Jennifer Icaza-Gast three years ago, comes in.

The story of how Icaza-Gast started Student Santas ran in the Southeast Missourian:

God spoke to my heart three years ago as I watched my children open their gifts on Christmas morning. Instead of being happy at the sight of my two little ones tearing into their gifts, I found myself overcome with sadness and heartache. I realized that somewhere, at that very moment, there was a child waking up excited at the thought of Santa bringing that special doll or truck only to find nothing. It hurts to imagine a small face so full of hope running into a living room and becoming so disappointed. I found myself wondering…..How do you explain to a child that Santa didn’t come to their house because Dad lost his job last month?

Student Santas collected 1,500 toys in its first year; the goal for 2008 is to give away 6,000 toys.

If you know of a child in need please send a letter with the child’s age, gender, and toy requests to:

Student Santas

PO Box 641

Cape Girardeau, MO 63702

Our real father

As we get together with our families of origin for Christmas, many of us go to those gatherings with too high of expectations. We expect that this time our siblings will finally respect us, people will be rid of their old habits, and that our family will be as harmonious as the Cleavers.

For me, I always seem to go into holiday gatherings with the expectation that my stepdad will finally accept me and love me. I'm always let down. I'm asking too much of him.

Most of us are expecting too much from our earthly fathers and our families of origin. The only perfect father is God. He loves us completely. He is our real father -- the one we have been looking for all along.

The "Merry Christmas" movement

It's almost Christmas. . .and there seems to be a movement underway to get back to "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays".

Wal-Mart is using the word Christmas in advertising and stores again after substituting the word "holiday" for Christmas two years ago.

And a YouTube video of the Go Fish song "Christmas with a Capital C" is getting millions of views. It's great to see people back to understanding (and promoting) the reason for this season.

12-year-old gives -- instead of gets -- toys at Christmas

We know that God wants us to have a giving spirit. Tyler Strasser, age 12, has been giving in a unique way since he was three.

When Tyler was two, God spoke to him. Tyler couldn't speak, but his mom thought that it was interesting that Tyler started stashing away unopened toys that he had bought with his allowance. When Tyler was three, he was able to tell his mom, "They are for the children." He then explained how God spoke to him.

He has given away gifts since then. He has a charity called Tyler's Mission, and he does special things for Easter, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day in addition to Christmas. He has given toys to "kids" from birth to age 105.

The Charlotte Observer reported on his story and obtained comments from Tyler and his mom, Trish:

Trish Strasser says she feels blessed that her son took the time to listen to God at an early age.

'What I am blessed about is that he stood still long enough to listen to God's plan for his life,' she says. She says that while Tyler is welcome to quit his mission any time he chooses, he refuses to even think about it.

'I plan to do this throughout life,' insists Tyler. In addition to providing toys, food, clothing and toiletries to those in need, Tyler's long-range goals include building a safe place for his kids to come and play, which he says he will call 'Ever Ever Land.'

To donate or volunteer, or for more information contact Tyler or his mom at

P.O. Box 958

Paw Creek, NC 28130

Phone: 704-604-8917