Franklin Graham Shines Light on Christmas Spirit at Annual Tree Lighting
Franklin Graham attended FOX News’ Christmas tree lighting event in New York City on Friday night, sharing a heartfelt message about faith, generosity, and what he referred to as the “first gift” of Christmas: the gift of Jesus Christ from God.
As the president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, he emphasized Operation Christmas Child’s mission to send over 13 million shoeboxes packed with gifts to children across more than 130 countries this season.
During the event, Graham stood alongside the hosts in Fox Square, where hundreds had gathered to kick off the holiday festivities. He showcased a gift box that had been filled by his 3-year-old granddaughter, containing Minnie Mouse plush toys, school supplies, and handwritten notes created with her family’s help. This box exemplified the kind of gifts that Samaritan’s Purse distributes around the globe for nearly three decades.
“We’re aiming for around 13 million of these boxes this year,” Graham mentioned. “Each one has about 30 gifts. Our goal is to teach children the value of giving. God gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, and we want kids everywhere to grasp the significance of receiving gifts while also learning how to give.”
Graham expressed gratitude to FOX News employees for packing over 400 shoeboxes in preparation for National Collection Week, which spans from November 17 to 24. “It was fantastic working with FOX to pack the boxes,” he remarked, describing it as a wonderful collaboration.
During the ceremony, the hosts encouraged viewers to engage by scanning a QR code that linked to Samaritan’s Purse packing instructions, making it simple for people to get involved.
As part of the faith-oriented segment, Graham rooted his reflections in the Biblical essence of Christmas. “Christmas is fundamentally about giving,” he stated. “It’s about remembering that God gave us His Son, Jesus Christ, who came to redeem us. At Christmas, we celebrate Jesus and acknowledge what He did for us.”
The Operation Christmas Child campaign is currently active during National Collection Week, with around 5,000 drop-off points available nationwide. These locations are set up to assist families and churches in delivering boxes filled with toys, hygiene supplies, and educational materials.
According to Samaritan’s Purse, the initiative involves approximately 300,000 volunteers, reaching deep into jungles, urban areas, mountainous regions, and even remote Pacific islands. The shoeboxes collected in the U.S. are combined with gifts from other countries to benefit children in challenging and isolated communities.
Graham highlighted the significance of this project, stating, “We have a unique chance to share the true spirit of Christmas with millions of children globally through Operation Christmas Child. I’m truly thankful for every individual who has made this project possible.”
Additionally, families can create online shoeboxes by selecting items and including personal notes and photos. This initiative started in 1993 and has successfully delivered more than 232 million boxes to children in over 170 countries and territories, often in collaboration with local churches, coupling gifts with community support and evangelistic programs.
“This is a chance for kids to give to others without expecting anything in return,” Graham added. “In a world that often seems self-centered, initiatives like this can teach the next generation the importance of generosity.”
As the lights of the Christmas tree twinkled on the crowd gathered in Manhattan, Graham’s message reinforced why so many families participate in the shoebox drive each year: “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son,” he concluded. “That’s what Christmas is truly about.”
