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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Jeanne: A reason for the season

On her Facebook wall, Jeanne Helstrom of Coeur d'Alene posts:

I’ve been writing my Christmas cards…how about you? Wow, there are so many styles to choose from! There are funny ones, cute ones, cards with animals on them to send from one pet to another…and then there are the elegant ones with lots of glitter and sparkle. Santa, angels, wise men, a one-horse open sleigh, the Holy family in the manger ~ you can find just about any type of Christmas card you want to send. The right one for just the right person. I have been known to hand-make my Christmas cards from time to time…it’s time consuming, but a labor of love that is much appreciated by the recipient. Myself, I prefer the “religious” cards, those that portray the real meaning of Christmas. I won’t buy anything that merely says “Happy Holidays” or “Season’s Greetings.” I want to remember and share what, or Whom, the holiday is all about anyway ~ Jesus. More below.

Question: How do you select your Christmas cards for friends and family?

I read in my Bible that the first Christmas card went to some lowly shepherds, in the night, watching over their sheep. Can you imagine the fear they felt at the sudden proclamation and singing, awakening them from their slumber?

“The angel said to them, ‘do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you; You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.’” (Luke 2:10-14).

Wow. That was quite a greeting! Or, maybe the first Christmas card was even before that one, when the angel appeared to Mary to tell her she had found favor with God. “You will be with child and give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.” (Luke 1:30-31). I can’t even pretend to imagine the myriad emotions she must have felt, first of all that an actual angel of God had appeared to her, and then with the unbelievable news he gave her, which she believed. The Father had picked HER from every other woman on earth to bear His holy Son.

But there is still another Christmas card that is for everyone ~ the Bible. God’s story, and our story. It’s message is clear and true, full of hope and love, given to us from the very beginning of time. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…The Word became flesh [Jesus] and made His dwelling among us.” (John 1:1, 14). This card, this message, is not just for Christmas, but for every day we live. It is our lifeline. It is one card that is worth reading over and over again.

From my heart, Jeanne



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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