Since 2009, the women of the “Search the Scriptures” Bible study group at Calvary Christian Reformed Church (Ottawa, Ont.) have engaged in a meaningful tradition: turning Christmas into a season of hope for families around the world.

Each year, the Bible study members encourage the congregation to give through the Giving Tree—a fundraising project that accompanies World Renew’s annual Gift Catalog. Churches, schools, and families use the Giving Tree project to raise funds for items in the catalog and display ornaments representing those items on a Christmas tree.

At Calvary CRC, the Bible study announces the fundraiser before the first Sunday in December each year, allowing church members to participate until New Year’s Eve. The Bible study members remind the congregation about the Giving Tree through announcements during service and signage around the church (always near the coffee pots!). Some church members donate a gift for each of their children or grandchildren, and smaller gifts are often combined to accommodate up to 190 ornaments hanging on the tree. “We feel it has become a tradition in the church, and everyone seems to enjoy it,” says Margo Bastian, who leads the Giving Tree project.

During the early years of the fundraiser, the Bible study members created a unique theme each time, such as “Gotta Getta Goat” or “Count Your Chickens.” In recent years, the church has raised funds specifically for emergency food kits in support of World Renew’s international disaster response programming.

For congregations like Calvary CRC, the Giving Tree shows how even one gift can make a big impact. “The tradition of Christmas giving is so much better when you know your gift is helping to ease the pain and improve the life of others,” says Trudy Heerema, a Bible study group member. “As a church family, the Giving Tree gift challenge reminds us there are so many people in God’s world that need help. Praise God we are blessed to be able to help others.”