A Christmas song entitled All I Really Want, written by contemporary Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman, tells the story of a young boy without a permanent home writing a letter to Santa.

Instead of the usual requests of gadgets, games and toys, this young man had something else in mind:

“All I really want for Christmas

Is someone to tuck me in

A shoulder to cry on if I lose

Shoulders to ride on if I win

There’s so much I could ask for

But there’s just one thing I need

All I really want for Christmas is a family“

Unfortunately, this boy represents nearly 10,000 children who are in out-of-home care in Kentucky. These children have been removed from their homes by the state in order to keep them safe and protected. What these children desire most this Christmas is not the latest toy or video game, but a loving family.

Since 2006, with the beginning of our foster-to-adopt program, Sunrise has helped to provide just that — a forever home — to more than 560 children. Nothing under the Christmas tree beats that.

Sunrise has so many wonderful foster and foster-to-adopt families who are providing care and love to vulnerable children. The ultimate goal is to provide these children with a permanent home.

This Christmas, please pray. Pray that the children in our care will receive the love and protection they desperately long for. Pray that these children will ultimately discover unconditional love in a permanent home. And pray for God’s Spirit to guide our current foster and foster-to-adopt parents, as well as our future foster parents. Could one of these future foster parents be you?

Also, consider giving an end-of-year gift to Sunrise. We especially rely on monetary donations this time of year to ensure the kids in our care receive Christmas gifts, enjoy a Christmas meal and have a great start to the new year.

At Sunrise, we trust not in the jolly old elf, but in the One who desires to adopt us all into His forever family. Through your gifts and prayers, and through God’s leading, we can help more children celebrate their Christmases with a loving family.

---

David Lyninger is Sunrise Children’s Services associate director of communications.