"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas."
~ Calvin Coolidge ~
Former President of the United States
As I read the above quote last Friday, I wondered what I would write about. Immediately I thought about all the people I know who embody the above qualities: those who cherish peace and goodwill, are plenteous in mercy. God has been so faithful to surround me with such godly, Christmas-minded people. It was fitting that I read that quote the week of my sweet son's spiritual birthday. I didn't write much about him that day, as I did when his sister had her spiritual birthday this summer, but this quote is so befitting of him that I'm glad I waited. In fact, it makes me all the more glad that his spiritual birthday is in the Christmas season. Here are some pictures that portray what I'm talking about. Please view them and read these words, not from the perspective of a boastful mom, which I cannot be as I cannot take credit for what God is doing in his life. But, view them in much the same mindset as those who visited the manger... those getting a first-hand look at something that God Himself was bringing about. That's how we can all view our children, don't you think? God is doing something wonderful! And just like that Christmas so long ago, He is bringing about some of His most awesome works through children...
Christmas is...
"A state of mind..."
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
Kyle's baptism day, Dec. 13, 2003
"...to cherish peace..."
A visit to a Ghanaian clinic in 2004 where he encouraged and prayed with patients
"...to be plenteous in mercy..."
"' I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these ...you did for Me.' " Matthew 25:40
Summer 2005
"... is to have the real spirit of Christmas."
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for first revealing the spirit of Christmas in the incarnation of Your Son. Thank you for continuing to reveal it to me in the lives of others, including my own son. I stand in awe as I watch You raise up a generation who lives out the real spirit of Christmas and will boldy declare Your name among the nations. Amen
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10 comments:
What a beautiful tribute to a young life already lived well. Thank you for sharing your son's embodiment of today's quote.
what wonderful memories and opportunities! Thanks for posting!
Oh my goodness. What asweome pictures. THANK you so MUCH for sharing them. The verses you have selected for each picture are just so fitting.
Merry Christmas to you and yours.
That blessed me SO MUCH. Thank you. I can just feel the love in this post; happy birthday in Christ to that special young soul.
Great post and tribute. What a Godly man your son is growing to be!
What a beautifully written post Cyndi. Happy Spiritual Birthday to your precious son. I think there is no greater gift than to know our children love the Lord. It is so amazing to watch what he does in their lives. Grace in abundance is what I always think. In spite of all the mistakes my grown children are wonderful people - because of His grace.
I love this post.
It's amazing to me how much I learn from watching my children. I loved your real life examples fitting the phrases from the quote.
I love that God does great things in the lives of our children in spite of us. I find no greater joy on this earth than to see my children grow in the Lord. I love all the photos of your son. They really touched my heart. He will never forget those moments and neither will his Father.
Wow Cyndi - Love your new template. How awesome. I didn't check you sidebar, but it looks like a template form BlueBirds :).
Precious boy!
I'm all teary-eyed as I look at this post again. What a beautiful picture of God's grace and love as He lives in and moves through His child.
Your kids are an inspiration to me.
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