For the past several years I have been getting more and more fed up with the commercialism of the holiday season. It could be the fact that we start seeing Christmas stuff in the stores in October. Or that the “all Christmas music” station started way before they should have. I think the fact that stores opened on Thanksgiving this year officially put me over the edge.

I want Christmas to be a time of reflection on family, friends, and the gift of Jesus. Instead it has become a celebration of plastic crap made in China. And my kids are up to their eyeballs in Christmas propaganda.

When I was growing up we got our fair share of presents. And I remember a handful of them. But what I really remember is that we often did something as a family. Whether it be a ski trip or a trip to the theater or a Christmas concert, Christmas was about being together.

Christmas was also about giving back. I remember many many years “adopting” families in our community and buying them gifts to pile under their tree. I actually loved picking out things I knew their kids would like and thinking how cool it was to be a part of someone else’s Christmas joy.

So it should not shock you that I want to instill both of those values into my children.

If you have read my blog for long you know that I love World Vision. We sponsor three kids in our family, order from their catalog every Christmas and I even went on a blogger trip to learn more about what they do around the world. So when I find out about cool projects that World Vision is a part of I immediately ring up my contacts and ask them how I can tell my readers about it.

The Story is basically the bible in novel form written by Randy Frazee and Max Lucado, Then a bunch of Christian artists got together and recorded some music inspired by the book. Two CDs worth in fact. With artists like Amy Grant, Brandon Heath, Mac Powell, Chris Tomlin, Francesca Battistelli, Bart Millard, Natalie Grant, and Mandisa taking part you KNOW it is good. And the songs are written by Nichole Nordeman, one of my favorite artists of all time. To say I was excited to hear about this collaboration is a ridiculous understatement.

THEN a bunch of the artist who participated on the CD decided to tour the country starting December 1st, bringing The Story to you. The concert will be part Christmas music and part music from the CD. What a GREAT gift to take your family to. What a powerful experience to share and focus on the right things this Christmas season.

And speaking of focusing on the right things, The Story CD and tour are partnering with World Vision. Why? I think they say it best:

The Story of Jesus Christ offers life in all its fullness to all who hear it. This one-of-a-kind, multimedia project reminds us that there are thousands of children around the world who long for this fullness of life.  We are pleased show fans and audience members how they can make reaching out to our world’s most vulnerable children part of their own story.

A portion of the CD sales directly benefit World Vision. And if you go to the tour, you will have an opportunity to look through pictures and pick out a child who I promise will bless your family more than you will bless theirs.

I am SO excited to offer my readers a chance to attend “The Story” in a city near you. Check out the list of tour dates and leave a comment letting me know what show you want to attend. If there aren’t any cities near you, leave a comment anyway and you will have a chance to win the 2 disc CD. Because the shows start this weekend this giveaway will be short.

The winner will be drawn at random Sunday, Dec. 4th (sorry Wichita, Tulsa and Texas) and your TWO tickets will be at will call. Please make sure you can go to the show before you enter since World Vision is being very generous offering these tickets.

Disclosure: I was provided with tickets to see The Story when it comes to my town. But shh…..I was going to write about it anyway. My love for World Vision can’t by bought . This post will be linked up to Works For Me Wednesday at We Are That Family.