**This post is sponsored by Minted. All selections and opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through a link I might receive a small compensation, but your price stays the same. Thank you for your support!**
The weight of a Christian Christmas card never really resonated with me. Like the masses I exchanged and welcomed cards because that’s what you do at Christmas. Always enjoying the smiling faces and cheery phrases I never read to much into the message a card or the holiday truly stood for. Now the little love notes that land in my mailbox strike me in a completely different way. We have taken our own holiday photo the last few years, which adds money savings but a whole other set of challenges! Today I am sharing all the bad pics it takes to get a winner. 🙂 
Our kids have learned that mom holds one family photo session a year near and dear to her heart and usually respond with at least ten to fifteen minutes of cordial smiles and friendly posing. Then it’s chaos, smiles vanish, wiggles invade and the picturesque scene plastered on our card gives way to reality. We are a train wreck. Often disheveled, hair a mess, gym clothes the norm (never matching), rarely on the same page, racing in different directions we are a run of the mill, typical family. 
But for a single moment in time we are captured with our best foot forward and joy hangs lofty in the air. I wonder if my kids will look back over the years of scrapbooked Christmas cards and remember the photo sessions fondly or remember me threatening them with their life to just hold it together for one more minute? I hope they look back and see a family full of love, full of safety and acceptance. Parents whose hearts could burst at the seams any moment with love and pride over their growing brood. How many more years do we have together until kids move off and new family members are added? I can’t even.
I also hope they see growth. I hope that every year builds on the next and our hearts grow closer and closer to the Lord. That they grow to know our messy lives need a savior. One little phrase gets displayed on a Christmas card each year. And each year I feel like the card I choose is a direct reflection of where we are in our walk with the Lord. I don’t just pick the card that fits our picture or matches our clothes. I pick a feeling. This year my kids helped pick.
Our kids are growing up and watching them develop into who God created them to be is an exciting, often challenging gift. I am perpetually in wonder of the little people and hearts in our home. Waiting to see their gifts and talents, His plan and their life unfold. They are exploring their way, gaining their footing. I am in awe. I am in awe of the blessings, His love, poured out in our life.
A Christian message in our Christmas card serves many purposes, to share God’s love with others, but also as a marker along our journey. I am just beginning to really appreciate the bold statement made when we send a card stamped with scripture. It’s not a catchy phrase or holiday jingle. It’s the point. Each year I grow closer to this truth and our card is a reminder for me, a place holder in time. When you tear open the envelopes this year take a moment to really read into what people are telling you with their message, there might be more displayed than you think.
I have partnered with Minted for years on our Christmas card. They have so many options for Christian Christmas cards. I feel confident you will find a card that matches your message this year. They support small artists to display a variety of stylish choices, a ton of which are religious, and for that I want to thank them for so many beautiful options! If you are on the fence about sending a card be sure to check out 10 reasons to mail Christmas cards. Since I can’t mail each of you a card I hope you’ll accept this digital greeting from my family to yours. Merry Christmas friends, I pray your holiday is filled with His wonders!
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As usual, 🙂 xo
Thank you friend!
This was so special, thanks for sharing and hope you have a Merry Christmas.
Thank you Marlene and Merry Christmas to you too!
Your family Christmas card picture is beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Last Christmas for the first time, my 6 grandchildren (ages 13 to 1 month old) dressed up and acted out the story of the Nativity. My 1 month old granddaughter was baby Jesus. That Christmas was very special to our entire family. This year, I chose one picture taken last year and had Christmas cards made using that picture and the words “A Savior is Born”. I’m so happy to be able to send out my cards to my family and friends this year and I do hope they are a blessing to those receiving them because they are certainly a blessing to me.
WHat a fun idea, I am sure it is one the kids will remember forever especially since you had it made into your card! That is what Christmas is all about making memories with family and praising our Savior! Merry Christmas, hope this season is just as special.
Such a beautiful family! I feel like I know you so well. Isn’t it wonderful how our Lord connects us even though we haven’t met face to face. I have printed out many of your blog posts because they touch my heart in a profound way and I want to keep them close by. I lost my beloved husband (after 53 years) this past February. I live in Texas but last weekend I flew to Arlington National Cemetery to visit his grave. I was overwhelmed by the emotion I experienced and was flooded with memories, just like the “picture memories” you shared. It’s been a difficult season this first Christmas without him, but the joy that comes from Jesus, especially as we celebrate his birth, never leaves me! Merry MERRY Christmas to you and your precious family. XO, Willa
Oh Willa, I am so glad you got to go and visit his grave, I can’t imagine how emotional that must have been! I will say a pray for you this holiday that you will be filled with joy and wonderful memories. Blessings sweet friend, your kind words and story are a bright light in my day. Merry Christmas
And a Verry Merry Christmas to you! Thanks for sharing your less than perfect photos with us too 🙂
Thank you Melanie, I hope you and your boys have a beautiful Christmas! Hope to see you soon friend!