Pondering the Reason for Christmas Cards …

As I ponder just why I continue to design Christmas cards, I must first pause and reflect on current events.  The horrific shootings across the country are unthinkable, sobering and send chills to the core. The school shooting in the Minneapolis area has hit too close to home. Perhaps the antidote to all the bad news everywhere is the Good News of the Christmas story …

The story of Christmas, passed down from generation to generation, celebrates the Light of the world coming to earth to dispel the darkness and offer hope to all. The music of Christmas gladdens the heart. The joy of Christmas fills the air.  I am reminded of Handel’s Messiah and prophetic words from Isaiah chapter 9 … For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. And the government will rest upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

How we need the Prince of Peace and a Wonderful Counselor to intervene in this world of darkness! I continue to design cards, hoping to help us remember – in the midst of the busyness and flurry of the season – the hope Christmas offers to all.  I believe it is an opportunity to share this Good News with our treasured family & friends.

So is it worth our efforts here at Credo to create and produce new Christmas designs each year? Just how many fresh ways can we say “ Merry Christmas”, “Peace on Earth”, “Emmanuel, God is with Us”? Is this really a tradition worth keeping? Do we have the time to send cards in this fast-paced and technical world we live in? And what about the price of stamps? Many have a tight budget. And yet many of us could give up one evening out for dinner or a monthly pedicure to offset the price of stamps. We can all decide.  We live in a broken and hurting world yearning for peace and in need of love. Perhaps now more than ever a simple card, sent with love and the hopeful message of Christmas, just might be the best gift of all.