Have you ever heard of a "White Elephant Gift Exchange?"  If you haven't Google it, but in short it is where you go to a party (usually Christmas party) and you bring a gift for some unknown person. Then you draw numbers. If you get number 1 you are the first one to pick one of the gift surprises and open it. Then number 2 can choose to either steal the gift from the first person or pick a different gift. Of course if you are down in the number count you have a selection of what gift you want to steal. If your gift gets stolen, then you can steal someone's else's or pick a new gift out. I think you get the idea.
We went through this last night at a Christmas party. I personally enjoy watching it and being a part of it. But I do believe there are some life lessons you can learn from this.

1. Hold onto things lightly. In this game the gift you just  obtained you can loose in a couple of minutes! True in the game, but also true in life. A fire, theft, or some bad investment can cause you to loose something that you have placed some kind of value. Be willing to let things go.
2. Rejoice in the relationships. Something like this will expose where relationships are at. When people are close you will have more fun. Don't think so much about what you are going to get, but enjoy the people around you.
3. Be generous. That can come in different forms. It could be what you bring (there are different rules played that may affect this), but also in the exchange. Last night I stole a gift  that I personally liked from someone. I would use it and be happy with it. But I knew the person I took it from really liked it also (they stole it from someone else). So she was displeased, but that is all apart of the fun! But afterwards I went up to her and gave her the gift. For me to see the smile on her face was the best gift I got from that night. 

If you read my last blog you know I love what Christmas is all about. Remember that this time of year it is about Jesus and how He was the Ultimate Gift from God to bring us into relationship with Him and learn to be in healthy relationships with one another. So let us value people more than things (Points 1 and 2),  live a life of generosity (point 3), and be grateful for what God has done for us and others in our life. Christmas is a great reminder for these lessons not only for this season, but all year around.

Have you been busy? I have. 
Not only in the basic Christmas busyness (buying gifts, Christmas cards, etc) but all in our ministry. The last couple of months we have had a lot going on.
But I find myself wanting to pull back and just think on Christmas. I am wanting to rest (at least in my mind) on what Christmas is all about. 
A couple of nights ago my wife and I was watching "The Christmas Carol" (1999 version). Scrooge is the main character and the whole point of the movie is that he is missing the point. Why go through Christmas? Why celebrate? Why buy gifts and so on. The movie in short makes that caring for others is a gift unto itself and so on.
Well, I think we can go through Christmas like that. We can count down to Christmas, practice all of our family traditions (and I like those), and go to all of the parties, but still miss the point.
Take sometime to reflect on the birth of Jesus. Read ahead and start with the book and Luke and think about the ultimate gift given to man, announced to shepherds, born to outcast, staged in a manger, laying in a feeding trough, and about to become an refugee in Egypt. It is through this child that the salvation of all of mankind of all of time would come from. Through this child words of wisdom would flow what we ponder for over 2000 years. Through this child would heal many, care for many, and model for us how we are designed to be. "Jesus is the Reason for the Season"  is not only a catchy saying, it is the deeper truth we are in danger of missing.
So when you look at the Christmas lights, remember that Jesus is the light to the world. When you see the gifts under the Christmas tree, remember He was the ultimate gift. When you look at your Christmas tree remember it is in Christ we find life. And when you see your filled stockings, remember it is only Jesus Christ that can truly fill every part of our broken lives with His love.
Don't let us just be busy this Christmas Season. Let us think on why we are celebrating it.

The last couple of months a lot of things happened. We attended Awaken the Dawnin Washington D.C and the YWAM staff conference in Orlando. I also taught in YWAM Myrtle Beach, YWAM Charlotte, and online to a Bible School in the Philippines covering topics on like Family and ministry, Relationships, and Identity. And all of this happened as we staffed in the DTS in Charlotte! 
We also enjoyed Rodel’s (Haydee’s brother) visit. He traveled to Canada due to work and had a chance to spend a week with us in North Carolina. It truly warmed our hearts.
If you had the chance you will see that we also have been helping with our 500 Thanksgiving Food Drive (See picture). YWAM Charlotte along with Heart for Monroe and the body of Christ we feed 500 families in need of that Thanksgiving meal. What a great way to start wrapping up this year.
We do ask you to remember us through your year-end-giving. Will you give to us online at dhcampbell.org? We are so grateful for you.
Thank you for all of your prayer and/or financial support this past year. There is not a day that passes where I am not humbled by all of you who walk with us on this journey. Words truly can not express our gratitude.
Blessings to you and your family as we enter this season of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ!
Campbell Family
Prayer Points
1- We are asking God for clarity on what He has for us this coming year. Pray we will clearly hear God’s heart.
2- We are evaluating our homeschooling for our boys and praying if we need to make any changes. Pray for guidance.