Why Christmas Cards Stay Up So Long in Our Home

Though I still see a few homes with Christmas lights and decorations up, for most, Christmas 2009 is becoming a distant memory.  Coming back from vacation we were one of the late ones to put away the decorations and the tree.  Yet there is one part of Christmas that does stay with us for a long time -- the Christmas cards.  Like a lot of people we display cards in a designated area, taping them up on a wall or hanging them on a string.  Many of these cards are from people I have minimal contact at best throughout the year, yet I am very grateful that are family was thought of during this special time of the year.  

Going through stack of mail I came across a Christmas card that really moved me. It was from a family with the exception of a few e-mail exchanges we have had no contact with in a few years.  What stood out to me was the greeting on the card from the family which included a photo of them.  It contained the verse James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." Now to receive Christmas cards that are spiritual in nature and contain Scripture verses is not uncommon.  Yet I knew these friends before they came to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  My wife played critical role in their spiritual journey.  This really impacted me.  I lifted up a prayer of thanksgiving saying, "God you really do change lives!"

So here is why they stay up so long.  I hope this may prod you to do the same. As a family you can make these Christmas cards a meaningful part of your family's prayer life by simply taking down one card each day and praying for that specific family. This simple practice be more meaningful than you realize.

Comments

[Rod Kaya]

Re: [rodsprod] Chipg submitted a comment to Why Christmas Cards Stay Up So Long in Our Home

Thanks Chip another benefit it gives us opportunity to really inform our kids about the people in our lives and hopefully have them have a heart for prayer for others.

[Chip Gillespie]

Wow - love this idea. With the evolution of traditional cards into the 'family photo' version my wife had the idea to create a Christmas Card photo album. This way we have current pictures of family and friends, that we may not have had that much contact with, and next year we can add to the album, to create a historic archive. Adding the tradition of praying over each family, as you put the card away, is a great idea.