For 15 years, Grace Baptist Church in Springfield, TN has been assisting families facing financial hardships during the Christmas season, and this year is no exception.

Their program, called Gifts of Grace, is a church-wide initiative aimed at providing Christmas presents for approximately 30 local families each December.

"It's an integral part of our DNA to give during Christmastime," says Brother Steve Freeman, the Senior Pastor of Grace Baptist. Brother Steve notes that virtually 100% of his church members participate in the Gifts of Grace program.

You may be wondering, how does their process work?

To identify the highest need in the community, the church collaborates with Sarah Evans, Homeless Liaison with Robertson County Schools. Sarah distributes applications to specific families, which they fill out and return to her. The applications request the five most needed and wanted items for every household member, along with names, sizes, genders, and specifics.

Once Sarah receives all the applications, she gives them to Grace Baptist Church, where a committee reviews each list and notes down each item's specifics on a ticket to be placed on their Angel Tree.

Starting on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the Angel Tree is displayed in the church lobby for people to grab a tag (or 10), shop for those items, and then return them to the church unwrapped. Once all items are accounted for, the Gifts of Grace committee organizes and wraps each present.

This year, on December 17, the families were invited to pick up their gifts, discreetly bagged to stay hidden from children who were tagged along with their parents.

"Christmas can be a great time, but it can also be stressful, especially if funds are low," explains Brother Steve. "This provides us an opportunity to reach into people's lives. It's a win-win-win—for the church, the family, and the Kingdom."

Upon arrival, families were met by a church member who shared the Christmas story and ministered to them while volunteers loaded up the gifts.

"It gives them an opportunity to get to know us, and us to know them. Most importantly, if they don't know Jesus, they get direct exposure to what this season is all about," Brother Steve continues.

Brother Steve estimates the church has served over 500 families in the Robertson County area since starting the program, and most of them vary from year to year, which he considers a positive thing.

"Most families just needed a hand up—not a handout—for one Christmas, and then they are able to get on their feet for the next Christmas," he says.

As the final chords of the Christmas carols fade and the last gift finds its way into a waiting hand, Grace Baptist Church's commitment to spreading joy has not only touched the lives of countless families, but has also become a cornerstone of unity within the community.

In the warm glow of goodwill, the church stands as a testament to the enduring power of generosity, affirming that, indeed, the spirit of Christmas is alive and thriving in the hearts of those who give and receive with open hands and open hearts.