Card Day (12/20/2024)

Today is card day. It was supposed to be earlier this week, but life broke around me and had to be dealt with immediately. Life’s like that. I have all my cards set out on my table and my labels are made to make the process of addressing speedier so I can spend time praying for those to whom I am sending cards. It’s my process. I realize some of my cards may not arrive by Christmas Day, but Christmas is a season I tell myself.

I love Christmas card day. It is a time of great thanksgiving for me. As I write in each card, I remember those to whom I am greeting with that specific card. I try to recall moments in our relationship and give thanks to the LORD for their presence in my life. I also ask the LORD for special graces and gifts such as healing or consolation. Card day tenderizes my mind and heart with the recognition of the LORD’s power and presence at work in my life and the lives of others and opens me more fully to welcoming the greatest of all gifts from my LORD on Christmas Day, Jesus Christ.

I found several years ago that I was struggling more and more to keep Christ in Christmas. I did two things. I began collecting nativity scenes so there would be one in every room of my home, and I changed my approach to sending Christmas cards. Modern life still challenges me (like this year when I am late doing my cards), but I remember that the LORD never promised an easy journey. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mt 16: 24). We who identify ourselves with our Savior as Christians will always be challenged in this world to walk in His footsteps and to hold Him in our hearts and minds. The distractions this time of year can be monumental; let us insist, though, on keeping Christ in our Christmas.

How are you keeping Christ in Christmas? My ways work for me, but our relationship with our LORD is personal and it only makes sense that others will find different yet effective ways of keeping Christ in Christmas. I would love to hear your ways. You can write me a note in the comments at the bottom.

As we continue our Advent journeys, let us do so with great faith, trusting in our LORD with a hope that allows us to be resilient even in stressful and difficult times, and let us insist that love be the fuel upon which we rely this day and all days.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.