Every year I comb through pictures for the best ones to represent our families year on our Christmas cards. Fewer and fewer people in my circle send them out. I often hear about what a chore they are. They do take a fair amount of time. This year even my husband stated that I could stop sending them now since the kids are grown.

I admit that, when I started sending them years ago it, it was about sharing pictures of our growing boys and carrying on a tradition of my mom’s. It felt obligatory, but that was outweighed by the joy I felt in receiving cards from others. I appreciated being thought of by others.

Now, I look forward to it. I know that sounds strange to many. Each year as I hand write the addresses on the envelopes, I reflect on the person/family receiving the card. I reminisce about times our lives have intersected, and it brings me joy. Sending Christmas cards gives me the opportunity to pause and remember the people who have touched my life.

³ I thank my God every time I remember you.⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus…⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:3-6, 9-11 NIV).

This year, this scripture came back to me, and it has become the prayer that goes with each card I send. Christmas cards have gone from a time to reminisce to an opportunity to pray for family and friends.

How do you feel about Christmas cards? Are they an obligation? Do you love to receive them but not send them? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.