I thought I would never arrive at my design for this year’s Christmas card. In September, I began an in-depth study of the book of Isaiah, and I’ve gained a fresh perspective on Jesus. Amid pages and pages of terror and dread, of the wrath of God unleashed on a sinful people, the promise of redemption—the hope of Jesus—shines. I knew I wanted our Christmas card to be all about Him and His labor of love. Without Him, there is no peace on earth, no joy to the world, and no Merry Christmas. The gratefulness in my heart was something that I wanted to express through paper. But how to go about it?
Isaiah says that “the people walking in darkness have seen a great light” (9:2). Speaking of Jesus, John tells us, “the true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John 1:9). We know that Jesus left his throne in Heaven, that “he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:7-8). These truths influenced my design.
The central image for our card is a simple, rustic rendering of the manger holding the Christ child. I heat-embossed it in white against a dark navy background to represent the great contrast between the darkness of our sinful state and the light that He alone brings. I selected a brown kraft card base and natural twine for their rough texture and simple appearance. The hay in the manger must have been rough on tender newborn skin, but I imagine it was as soft as moss compared to the roughness of the Roman cross where He laid down His life for me. A brilliant star marked the advent of the Maker of the stars as He entered our world in tiny form. Our daughter lovingly formed the stars for our cards from polymer clay. The simple star hangs suspended on twine to cheer the babe, even as it guides wise men to Him. The front sentiment proclaims that “Unto Us a Child is Born” and the inside continues with eternal names of God . . . “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:5-7).
Now I realize that it is quite likely that no one will get all of that when they open our Christmas card. In fact, some will just toss it aside. But as I made these cards, I prayed that each recipient would somehow recognize the immense love of God contained in His simple gift. I prayed that each person would know the peace and joy of Jesus in a fresh way this Christmas, that they would know him as all He was prophesied to be and all He has proven Himself to be. My prayer is that come January, as people toss or store the cards they received this season, they will be touched and refreshed by the Living Lord.
