December 14, 2024
As he lay swaddled in the manger, Jesus received three gifts from the wise men. To mark the surprise, delight, and joy of that morning two millennia ago, it has been the practice of Christians to exchange gifts with one another on Christmas morning, a tradition that connects us to our past and to generations and communities who have gone ahead of us.
The Concept
The Magi Market is a new initiative of Westminster. This project involves setting up a one-day toy store at Pleasant Valley Connection where we will invite families to come to our store to shop for their kids. Parents pay $5 per child for admittance to the store, where they select a small, medium, and large toy plus a book and stocking for each child. This approach to Christmas Giving empowers parents by allowing them the dignity and joy of selecting gifts which are both appropriate for their family as well as desired by their child.
Why Magi?
The three magi presented gifts to Jesus once they arrived in Bethlehem, and the families shopping at the Market will be taking home three gifts per child.
What makes the Magi Market unique?
The Magi Market is a store. Families browse unwrapped, new toys that you have donated to select what their children will love best. Each child in each family will be able to have three gifts: one small, one medium, and one large, as well as a book and stuffed stocking. Parents will then be able to wrap the gifts and take them home.
When is the Magi Market open?
We will host the Magi Market at Pleasant Valley Connection on Saturday, December 14.
There are quite a few ways to support the Magi Market. We need help stocking the store, creating the magic, sorting items before shopping day, running the store Saturday, December 14 (wrappers, shoppers, greeters, etc.), and cleaning up afterwards.
Stock the Market
We need A LOT of toys to make the store a success! We need your help to stock the store with new toys, electronics, and sports equipment for all ages. Parents shopping in the store make the ultimate decision on what gifts their child will receive; we do not save any items for specific children. Therefore, any gift you choose will bring joy Christmas morning to a child who may otherwise not get to experience presents under the tree.
If you are already heading to the store or shopping online to buy gifts, just buy an extra or two! A gift that a child or youth in your life would like this year will be perfect in the Market. Bring it UNWRAPPED during worship or to the church office. We always need bikes, helmets, dolls, Lego, or blocks.
If you prefer to browse through our Amazon Idea List, you can purchase directly from it and have your gift shipped to the church.
Gifts are due no later than December 8. With the anticipated shipping delays, we encourage you to shop early!
Volunteer
Many, many hands are needed to make the Magi Market a success. We need lots of help sorting, setting up, wrapping gifts, etc. Visit this link to see all volunteer opportunities for the store.