It is fitting that “Christmas” is derived from the Latin word that means “Eucharist” or “thanksgiving.” Pondering that the “Word became flesh and dwelt among us” should create in us a wellspring of gratitude.
Nancy Leigh Demoss wrote some profound words about this gratitude cycle of true Christianity:
“Grace begets giving….Since God has put such a huge supply of grace into our account, it’s actually as though He is the one doing the giving through us. We give out of the abundance He has already given…Giving begets gratitude….our obedient hearts not only help meet others’ physical or spiritual needs, but also “produce thanksgiving to God” through every person for whom our gifts are intended. When we give out of gratitude to God, we cause gratitude to well up in others’ hearts as well. As a result, gratitude begets even more gratitude.”
That is the power of a gift in action, the power he wants to channel through us. We are instruments of grace, gratitude and giving. May we remember this season and every day.
15 comments
Beautiful!! Thank you for this blog, Kelly! What a ministry to those of us who need inspiration and encouragement as we strive to raise our families for Christ. Blessings to you and your precious family!
I appreciate your words, Cynthia.
What a beautiful family! Thanks for your words of truth that bless us all. Merry Christmas!
Kelly, a heart-felt thank you for the encouragement and wise insight on this blog! Your family looks amazing and, may I add, not all that big. 😉 Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas. Your family is beautiful! I enjoy Nancy Leigh DeMoss and thanks for the reminder.
Well, we’re tied. Please feel free to break the tie, since I’m, um, uh, how can I put this delicately…past the age of childbirth.
Very nice-looking fam…love the different skin tones–all in one family. I love how creative God is.
Merry Christmas!
Well you know, Cathy, that’s what Sarah thought too 😉
This is a lovely picture. What blessings the Lord has given to your family this year. Your family is a beautiful reminder of how God cares for us, even in trials. God bless
That is a beautiful picture of a beautiful family! Merry Christmas to you and your family as well!
Merry Christmas, Crawford family! Very nice pic — all those smiling faces, and it looks like a little one may be trying to blow spit bubbles at us. 🙂
Love and blessings to all of you.
~C
Merry Christmas! You are blessed with a beautiful family. I appreciate the ministry of your blog. It was a big part of why we are now expecting our 5th child! Thank you for helping us to remember the truth about the value of life, though it runs so contrary to the values of this world.
Marry xmax to you all,and I thank God for the family and the faith keeping going on……may God add more to the family and grace to carry on
Merry Christmas, Crawford family!
What a beautiful group you all are!
Wonderful picture. It makes me think about what our crew might look like if the Lord blesses us a few more times ;-). Not coveting, of course, just rejoicing in the goodness and bounty God gives to us-ward!
Such a precious photo! Just beautiful! Thank you for sharing your Christmas picture with us! Those Christmas photos will be ever-more priceless as your children grow up. Praying the Lord will bless and keep the Crawford family in 2014!
wonderful picture!!!! Everyone has grown so much! Love and Hugs from our family to yours! HOpe you all had a marvelous Christmas! jen