Amid the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations, the Luso-Hispanic Church of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, has responded to the call for solidarity launched by Sebastião Santos Vieira, head of the church's ADRA department. The campaign, entitled "Christmas in a Box," attracted an exceptional response from members of the community, demonstrating that even a small community can achieve great things.

As he does every year, Vieira rang the mobilization bell, urging church members to take an active part in this action, which is particularly precious to him. His unshakeable conviction in the power of doing good led to a massive turnout, exceeding all expectations. This year's target was 115 boxes, each destined for a child in Moldova.

"Just because we're a small church doesn't mean we can't do big things," Vieira enthusiastically points out. His determination to bring joy to children in Moldova has been the driving force behind the massive commitment of church members. For several cold afternoons in October and November 2023, young people and adults mobilized, braving the cold to collect items for the children in front of several supermarkets.

The harvest was not only fruitful but also heartwarming, testifying to the spirit of generosity that animates the community. A large number of members converged at the church to sort and pack the boxes, each adapted to the specific age and gender of the recipient child. The atmosphere was both one of productivity and solidarity.

In his final words for the campaign, Vieira once again called for volunteers to load the convoy that would transport these precious parcels to Moldova. The younger members of the team rose to their feet in response, demonstrating their commitment to the cause. Thanks to the coordinated effort of Vieira and his team, a spirit of solidarity spread throughout the community.

It wasn't just in the church of Neuchâtel that this momentum was felt; many other churches in other Swiss cities responded to the appeal, demonstrating that the spirit of Christmas goes beyond physical borders.

A total of 4,068 young people received a merry Christmas in a cardboard box, testifying to the overflowing kindness and generosity of the members of the Adventist Church of the Fédération de la Suisse Romande et du Tessin (FSTR). This spirit of solidarity, rooted in the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ, warmed hearts and brightened the holidays for these children. Many thanks go out to each and every one of the participants. Perhaps next year, with God's grace, they may double that figure! The magic of Christmas is also the magic of shared generosity.

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The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-European Division website.