A Tender Scene

Amy Grant sings it – a “Tender Tennessee Christmas,” but we’ve reframed it, and live it out here in Arlington.  Christmas is truly tender to us, because of the gift of God’s son to all people, and because the Mission Arlington^® family gets to give the gift of Christmas to so many who need to hear.  What we do isn’t just about the Christmas gifts which thousands of children receive, but about the sharing of God’s love through the free Christmas Store, and in more than 350 Bible studies across our community.  Each year at Christmas, hundreds of adults hear this story and enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Many more recommit their lives to Him anew.

Ripples in a Pond

We can do this, because you give. You make Christmas possible. Like an unexpected Christmas snowfall in a Texas winter, you shower gifts from everywhere.  You challenge and lead your companies, families, friends, and neighborhoods to give, so that children in our own community won’t have to wake up without gifts under their tree – or, sometimes even to wake up without a Christmas tree at all.  You are investing in families you don’t even know, but like ripples in a pond, your loving gift spreads from children to parents, to families, across generations.  Years later, when children have become adults, they drop back by to tell us of the way the love you shared will never be forgotten.

The Human Touch

You make a difference when you give financially. You make a difference when you bring gifts of all kinds.  You also make a difference when you volunteer.  Probably all of us have been at a point in our lives when we needed encouragement from someone.  We’ve watched it happen over and over again – when you volunteer with us, especially during the Christmas season.  One of the volunteer opportunities in our free Christmas Store is to walk with parents as they shop for their children.

We are amazed as we watch the positive spirit of volunteers rub off on those they are serving.  Your “words of encouragement,” find their mark in the hearts of people who are struggling to make ends meet.  When someone else sees value in us, and hope for our future, beyond the immediate needs of Christmas, it becomes a gift which endures.  Words matter, and kind words last.  It is the “human touch” which makes the difference.  Thank you so much.

Santa’s Workshop

Over time, people have referred to the building which houses our Christmas Store as “Santa’s workshop,” or even “the North Pole,” because it is filled with beautiful gifts for our community’s children, and because – it is just so much fun.

1. Dates – Our free Christmas Store opens from December 13th – December 23rd, (excluding Sundays)
2. Times – From 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day, except for the last day, December 23rd, when it opens at 10:00 and closes at Noon.
3. Access? – To gain entrance to the store, parents/guardians will need proof of address, a photo id., and official documentation which connects the child to the parent:  Birth certificates, Medicaid Cards, Medical, or School records will work – as long as they have the names of the children & parents on the same document.
4. More Info? For more detailed information about the Store, click HERE.

We look forward to December. Who wouldn’t?  It truly is the “most wonderful time of the year.”  Thank you for making a difference here.