As Christmas approaches, I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes this season so special. For many of us, Christmas is filled with family traditions, the excitement of giving and receiving gifts, and the joy of celebrating the birth of Jesus, God’s greatest gift to the world.

But for many children in Sri Lanka this year, Christmas will, once again, look very different. Instead of the sparkle of celebration, they face the ongoing reality of poverty and hardship. Their families, struggling under the weight of an economic crisis, can barely afford daily necessities. For many, the idea of buying school supplies - a bag, books, or even shoes - is simply out of reach.
And yet, these are the very things that can help a child break free from poverty. Education is a powerful tool of hope. With the right resources, children can stay in school, learn, and look forward to a brighter future. Without them, many risk falling behind and losing opportunities that could change their lives.
That’s why the Ceylon Bible Society’s Spreading Joy project is so important this Christmas. This project’s goal is simple but life-changing: to provide at least 500 children with school bags, books, and essential supplies, along with Scripture portions to remind them of God’s love. Gifts that will change their lives forever, practically & spiritually.
Each gift is carefully prepared by the team and their volunteers. Inside each bag will be school items that children need, as well as the opportunity to encounter the story of Jesus for themselves. It is a gift that brings both practical support and much needed hope.

Your generosity this Christmas can brighten a child’s future in Sri Lanka.

Think for a moment about what this gift means. Imagine a child walking into school in January with a brand-new bag over their shoulders, their exercise books crisp and ready for lessons. Imagine the confidence they feel when they no longer have to sit in class without the right materials, embarrassed or left behind. Imagine their joy at opening God’s Word and discovering that they are seen, known, and loved by Him.

This is the joy your gift can bring.

We sometimes forget how much difference something so small can make. A bag. A book. A Bible. To us, it might seem ordinary. But to a child in Sri Lanka, it could be the very thing that encourages them to stay in school, to keep learning, and to dream of a better tomorrow.

The Ceylon Bible Society has been faithfully serving communities in Sri Lanka for many years. Their heart is to share the love of God and to meet the needs of children who might otherwise be forgotten. They are working with local churches and schools to identify the children who most need help, ensuring that every gift is placed in the hands of a child who will truly benefit.

But they cannot do this without support from people like you.

This Christmas, will you make a gift to help us reach these children? A donation of £36 will provide one child with a complete gift pack - but whatever you are able to give will be gratefully received and carefully used. Perhaps you could bless two children with a gift of £72, or maybe you’re able to bless 10 children with a gift of £360. Every pound you give will go directly towards spreading joy, hope, and God’s love.

I know that this is a busy season, filled with many requests for support, but I also know that Christmas is a time when we remember the extraordinary generosity of God. Out of that abundance, we have the chance to give to others.

Would you take a moment today to respond? Together, we can ensure that Christmas is not a time of disappointment for these children, but a season of joy - joy in being equipped for school, joy in receiving a gift, and joy in knowing that they are loved.

Thank you for all you do to support Bible Society’s work around the world. May you and your family know the deep joy and peace of Christ this Christmas