I have never made Christmas cards online before. Last year I went to
a store and made them in the store. Before that I had a friend who
took our pictures and she designed our cards for us and I ordered them
from her. This year was unique as we never found time to have our
pictures taken. My only option was to use pictures we already had.
I
went online picked out a card and placed the pictures in the picture
spots. I previewed the card and placed the order. I then received a
phone call from my husband. Vaughn: "Did you have some trouble with the
online program honey?" Me: "No I don't think so? It said it would be
ready tomorrow." Vaughn: "Yeah, they are printing now and they are
blank."
Sixty. That would be the number of example cards that have no pictures and the wrong name that I had printed by mistake.
What
I hadn't done was hit the save button before sending them. I didn't
think I needed to save them as I didn't feel I would need to order
more. No that is the key, you have to hit save, then preview, and then
place the order. Information that would have been helpful the first
time around.
Technology is not my friend. I think this
may be proof. I have one of the blank cards I stuck in my purse to
show my friends how brilliant I am. Just another clip from the
Christmas card files.
All of this got me to thinking
about how hard we try to have everything perfect...especially at
Christmas. Christmas cards have been our "thing" for several years. We
even had themes for our cards. People would look forward to seeing
what the theme of the year would be. It was a lot of pressure.
The
stockings are hung by the chimney with care. Presents are counted and
wrapped. We search for the perfect gift to give to everyone on our
list. The menu is planned to the last detail. We set out cookies and
milk for Saint Nick. What does any of it have to do with Christmas? In
a hundred different ways at any time during the course of a year we can
show the people we love that we care simply by giving our time.
The
spirit of Christmas has nothing to do stockings or trees or menus or
cards. You can write Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, or any other
salutation you like but Christmas was then, is now, and will always be a
celebration of the birth of Jesus our Savior. What part of that isn't
worth keeping in Christmas? Our Father gave his Son to us to save us
and people want to take Christmas and turn it into something else.
Without Jesus there is no reason to celebrate December 25th. Without
Jesus there isn't a a gift. Jesus IS the gift. What are you searching
for in a store that you have not already been given?
As
I think about that blank card, the card without pictures, I realize
that I have already been given the best gifts of all. Jesus gave me a
family and a life. Without those pictures my life is like the blank
card...incomplete and empty. Without Jesus I have no life.
This
Christmas as you set out your milk and cookies and unwrap your gifts,
remember the best gift of all. The gift of Jesus. Luke 2:10-12 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; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
This
is good news indeed and worthy to be celebrated and honored. It is a
happy holiday. It is Christmas, the celebration of the birth of
Christ.
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