christmas cards – Simply Living for Him

25 Days of Simple Christmas-Christmas Cards

Welcome to the 25 Days of Simple Christmas! Each day I will be posting an idea about keeping the holidays simple- so that we can focus on Christ and the real meaning of Christmas!

While Christmas is such a special day, so much of the joy gets lost in the busyness.

Each day I will be writing about a simple way to celebrate the season. To focus on family, joy, and memories, without the elaborate extras that can bring added stress. Simple can be more meaningful if it gives us more time to focus on the huge GIFT we are awaiting-Jesus Christ, our Savior. {Don’t forget to subscribe by email in the sidebar, so you won’t miss any!}

Today we are talking Christmas Cards.

Sending out Christmas cards is a long time holiday tradition for many.

I really enjoy receiving pictures of family and friends every year, and reading about their year.

And when we send out our cards, I realized I have a wonderful opportunity to use our card to present the gospel.

While I can share a picture of our kiddies and how they have grown; or a small note about what we are up to-I want to make it about Him. Point those who may not know Him to the truth-just like that star did that night over Bethlehem.

I felt convicted, because I realized these cards were the maybe one time per year I might have communication with a friend or far away relative. It could be the one time per year they have a chance to hear of the gospel message.

Why not use the special event of our Savior’s birth,

to share about the greatest gift?

So a few years back we started by adding the gospel message to our cards. My favorite was last year’s card.

On the front was the children pictures shouting with the words, “We Have Good News!”

at the bottom was the verse:
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;” Luke 2:10

On the back was written a note about the good news of Jesus’s birth.

“It is our prayer during this Christmas season that you and your family may know the truth of Jesus’ life and His death on the cross for YOU.

He died and was raised to life, do that you may be saved from your sins and have the gift of eternal life.

Anyone who believes can have the gift.

May you know the true joy and peace that comes only through Him.”

So now every year, instead of getting too wrapped up in the picture, I am just sure to include a message about the season.

And as I wrote about a few posts back, we are also praying over the cards that we receive.

So I encourage you to make the most of the cards that you give and receive…after all, the gift of salvation is truly the best gift anyone can receive.

Please Join These Bloggers in

their 25 Days of Christmas Series:

25 Days of Christmas: Home for the Holidays @ Graceful Abandon

25 Days of Easy Christmas Crafts for Toddlers & Preschoolers @ Sidetracked Sarah

25 Days of Christmas Traditions @ Sharing the Journey

SimplyLivingforHim

December 5, 2011 by Karen DeBeus

25 days of simple christmas, christmas cards, prayer, Simply...Family, Simply...Living For Him

Praying over your Christmas Cards

One tradition that we started last year is that we pray for each family/person as we receive Christmas cards in the mail. Every year we receive many cards from family and friends and it always fun to see how children have grown in the last year, and to read about what exciting things have taken place in their lives.

So last year we decided as we receive those cards, we will pray over each family’s card. During our usual morning prayer time, we will take an extra time to pray for the person or family who sent the card. How wonderful after the season is over, we will have prayed for around 100 people!

What a simple, but easy way to remember loved ones in our prayers, especially those we may not see very often.

It is my prayer each day, that all those who do not know life with Christ, would come to know Him. He is the best gift that I have received, and I only want every single one of my loved ones to have that free gift.

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SimplyLivingforHim

December 3, 2011 by Karen DeBeus