For the next five days I am going to post six of my favorite Christmas cards ---- four we received over the years, and two Dave designed, cut from linoleum blocks and individually printed. I wish we had noted the date on the back of the blocks-----but we didn't. It was a long, long time ago, that much I remember.
Having said that, I can't find my special Christmas card of Santa Claus reverently kneeling at the manger. When our children were small we were given a statue similar to the one pictured here. We loved it and thought it was a wonderful way to combine the fun of Santa Claus with the true meaning of Christmas----something that can be difficult to do.
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| Jesus IS the reason for the season |
When I couldn't find the card, which was sent to us by our son Romm in 1984 I started searching for a picture of it on the internet. I was amazed at the vast number of sites portraying different characterizations of the kneeling Santa worshiping the Baby Jesus.
I also discovered three different poems combining the two aspects and have selected one to share.
A Mother's Christmas Wish
Come dear family, gather 'round our Christmas tree:
Let us spend a little time in love and harmony.
Tomorrow we will celebrate the birth of Christ our Lord,
But I've a wish this year to see it's meaning's not ignored.
The gifts are neatly set about with names and tags and bows.
And Christmas goodies are in sight, the stockings are in rows.
But as I look into your faces, what I wish to see,
Is a love for Christ our Savior, not "What's Santa bringing me?"
Each time one of you were born and laid here in my arm,
I thought about the Christ child in the manger safe and warm.
I thought of how His life began, and all the things He taught.
I thought of how He died for us --- that death could conquer not.
I wonder how His face would look, if these gifts to Him we gave---
a shirt, a train, a story book, which of these would He save?
I think He'd rather see us give kindness to one another,
To say our thinks and give our love to Him, our oldest brother.
So, as the colored Christmas lights are blinking in your heads,
I hope to find you each with love, kneeling at your beds,
And giving him a birthday wish that will be sure to please:
And vow to love your fellow man, and promise from your knees.
Then in the morning when you pass your Christmas gifts around,
Give the gift of love and joy. . .let true peace here be found.
For Jesus will be here to join, he's told us so, you see.
"If you do it unto the least of these---you do it unto Me."
by Suzanne Dean
I hope that by now you have completed your holiday busy-ness and are taking time/making time for the beauty of the true reason for the season.
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