By: Adam Reiley
Adam Reiley moved from California with his wife Courtney and daughter Felicity to join Saving Susan Ministry in October as Operations Manager. He loves being a member of the SSM Family.
Christmas. For many of us, the word evokes the warmest of memories. Family gathered around a crackling fireplace, the sparkling Christmas tree, piles of presents, egg nog and cookies, the sweet sound of Christmas carols, the merriment of laughter. At Christmastime we feel abundantly blessed. Thanksgiving sets a tone of gratitude for the season, as we give thanks to God for His overflowing generosity and celebrate with friends and family over a feast. As we move through the month of December, our spirit of gratitude only increases as we reflect on the greatest gift of all – the precious Son of our gracious Father.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, gratitude is “The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” A grateful heart is both thankful and desires to return the favor. When our hearts fill with gratitude at Christmas, God gives us a desire to share our blessings with those less fortunate than ourselves. What better time to pour out on others from the abundance of our blessings than at Christmas?
One of the first efforts I managed at Saving Susan was our 2018 annual Christmas Give. The Christmas Give brings together the staff at Genesis, our Parent Partners, our First Step Sponsors, and several other family and friends of the ministry to shower our partner orphanages in Cambodia and Guatemala with Christmas blessings. I am pleased to report that 47 orphan children and the orphanage staff are being blessed this year through the gifts and letters of our Christmas Give sponsors! As I received and read some of these letters, I was touched by the beautiful encouragement, joyfulness, and prayers contained in them. Please know that your letters and donations are bringing so much joy to the faces of our orphans and the hard-working orphanage staff, who are so often overlooked.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11 KJV
These tidings of joy are for all people! The Lord bless you for sharing them this Christmas.
