I love this time of year!! I drove to church today with Christmas music blaring. In a few days, I’ll have all the turkey I want and family around. Then after we get back home from visiting family, we get to put up our Christmas decorations! I have talked to several people that have already put up their decorations. I love the singing, the cool weather, preparing for Christmas and OH, the Christmas cookies! But there is one thing I hate!!! Shopping! I love giving gifts. I really love getting gifts. But, I really, really, really hate shopping for gifts. What do you buy people that have everything? And, if they need or want something, they just go out and buy it, so what do you get them? The youth have been working very hard to help us with this problem. This week the youth will host the Alternative Gift Market. This is a great place to buy gifts for the people in your life that have everything!! But, you may ask, “What is the Alternative Gift Market?” The Alternative Gift Market is a shopping market where you can get a gift to help a person in need in our community or around the world. The items offered are certainly not traditional gifts, and you won’t find them in any Black Friday ads. The beauty of these gifts is that they can make a very real and significant impact in the lives of our neighbors here in Charlotte and around the world. The youth have researched different needs in Bihar, India and our community. They have made display boards that talk about these needs. And this Sunday, November 24th at all campuses they have created a market to show these needs and give you the opportunity to buy gifts for loved ones while supporting Bihar, India and ministries in our community. For example, you could spend $5 to provide seeds and agricultural training for a family in India or $2 to provide a meal for a family in need at McClintock Middle School here in Charlotte. Gifts range in price from $1 to $5. With this gift, you’ll receive a card to give to your friend or family member which talks about seeds and agricultural training or providing a meal. It is a wonderful Christmas gift for kids and adults! Come join us this Sunday at all Christ Lutheran campuses for the Alternative Gift Market!