This year, though, a family in our own church had fallen on difficult times. The husband, Dave, lost his job earlier in the year and hadn’t been able to find another one. His wife, Jen, worked part-time, and they had two children. We knew they were having a tough time financially and were facing a bleak Christmas.

Our class decided to anonymously adopt this family for Christmas. Because Dave and Jen weren’t in our class, we could freely discuss the issue and collect the money without embarrassing them. We decided to give them a cash gift so they could apply the money to their greatest need.

When the collection period was over, we asked our church secretary, Judy, to give Dave and Jen the gift, telling them it was from an anonymous donor. Judy said when she gave them the envelope Jen’s eyes filled with tears. “Please thank them,” Jen whispered, smiling through her tears. “We are so grateful.”

Jesus tells us that whatever we do in His name—small deeds or large, a cup of cold water or something to eat—we are doing it for Him. And though our gifts may be small, God will be pleased with the heart behind what we give away. Jesus said that a watching world will know that we belong to Him and that we are His disciples by the love we show for one another (see John 13:35).