How many Christmas cards do you send each year? Hallmark Corporation estimates that Americans will send approximately 1.5 billion Christmas cards this year. That’s a lot of cards! And it’s 10 times more cards than the next most popular card-giving holiday: Valentine’s Day (we only buy about 144 million cards for that holiday).
Christmas is a time of wishing others well. And we do it through cards.
We send thoughts of peace and goodwill. We wish friends and family prosperity for the season and into the new year. We thank customers for their support and loyalty. We remind people to turn their thoughts to Jesus, God’s gift to His children.
There are two Christmas cards this year that stand out to me. And surprisingly, both were received through email. Sorry, Hallmark.
The first was sent by my pastor back home in D.C. The words were actually in a Christmas card he received a few years ago, but the message was so impactful that he still remembers it today. Here’s what it said:
If our greatest need had been information,
God would have sent us an educator;
If our greatest need had been technology,
God would have sent us a scientist;
If our greatest need had been money,
God would have sent us an economist;
If our greatest need had been pleasure,
God would have sent us an entertainer;
But our greatest need was forgiveness,
So God sent us a Savior.
God sent us a Savior. His very own Son. Why? Because God knows that our greatest need is to be with Him. God wants to be in an intimate love relationship with us, and so He sent Jesus to restore us through forgiveness. Jesus came as a baby in a manger. He didn’t come as a powerful warrior, although He leads the Heavenly Hosts. He didn’t come as a brash political leader, although He controls the nations. He didn’t come as a billionaire, although He controls all resources and fortunes. No, Jesus came as a quiet, humble child who was anything but ordinary. And through His Son, God calls us to come back to Him.
The second card that I really love this season is an eCard sent by a friend from elementary school. You have to love Facebook for connecting people from so many years ago! Here is what her card said:
In the happy moments, praise God
In the difficult moments, seek God
In the quiet moments, trust God
In every moment, thank God
Yes, in every moment, thank Him. We will all have times of joy, crisis, sorrow, hope, uncertainty, regret, and new beginnings. These are part of real life. And what is also part of real life is God. He is with us in every moment. He is ready to comfort. Ready to help. Ready to guide. Ready to rejoice.
God is ready to live with us in every moment we’re willing to share with Him.
God came as a baby so we wouldn’t be afraid. And the angels proclaimed the good news of this Savior of all people. He is the promised One. He went to the cross for us. And He lives today to bring salvation to those who will believe in Him. He is Jesus. He is the reason for the season. He has come for you and me.
“The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I will bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior is born to you; He is Christ the Lord.’” Luke 2:11-12
May I pray?
Heavenly Father, thank You. Thank You for your unfailing love. Thank You for sending Your Son to live and die for us. Thank You for Your forgiveness and the eternal life that You give as a free gift to all who believe in Jesus. Thank You for wanting to share every moment with us in intimate fellowship. May we turn to You today and let down our guard. May we come to You and share the happy moments, difficult moments, and quiet moments of real life. Amen.
Q4U: What’s your favorite Christmas card?