What I have heard over the years from a number of people is how they don't enjoy all that is involved with sending Christmas cards, but then in the next breath they encourage me not to stop sending our annual letter and card!
I actually enjoy finding the "right" card, writing our letter and choosing a picture or two to include. This year's card pictures a red front door, similar to our own door. When Geof and Kate were young, I tried to find cards with two small children, a boy and a girl, and during our years at Sweetwater Farm the card usually featured a country scene. I don't know if anyone every noticed my themes, but I enjoyed the hunt.
Writing our letter sometimes is challenging, as it was this year. The issue was not that it has been a personally difficult year for us. Our children and grandchildren continue to grow and thrive, and Bruce and I are content and busy in our third chapter lives. Instead, I pondered how much to say about the concerns we have for our country. Oh well, I did the best I could and then let it go.
Addressing the cards is almost a contemplative activity, during which I think about each person on our list. If we have not been in touch since the previous Christmas I wonder about the joys and sorrows of their past year, and if the card is going to someone in our more immediate circle, I think about our ongoing connection and the pleasure that brings.
Finally, I sign the card, "Light Blessings, Nancy and Bruce," tuck it in the envelope and seal it with a lick and a light prayer. Today our stacks of cards went into the mail--done till next year. Traveling Mercies.
A Prayer
I wrote this prayer for our church's Advent prayer booklet.
I love seeing our mailbox full of annual Christmas
letters and cards. May I find delight in the travel
adventures of dear friends and the achievements of
their children and grandchildren, and may I open
my heart to all those who have experienced loss
and pain. Amen.
An Invitation
What Christmas tasks do you most enjoy? And which ones do you wish you could delegate? I would love to know.
I finished my cards an hour ago, mailed them off, with blessings. But I have cut my list down—I find I send e-cards and emails to some of my friends instead. Also, new technology and lower phone rates have made keeping in touch so much easier.
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