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. 

Mojo Monday 221

I'm so excited about a new toy I got for Christmas. It's a Hero Arts/Sizzix Happy Birthday Cupcakes Stamp and Die Cut set. I gave it a quick test drive tonight using the Mojo Monday sketch. Can't wait to play with it more later! Here's this week's sketch on which my 4.25" square card is based:

I'm very excited to have time to play Mojo Monday this week. I haven't been able to play much lately, but I hope to play more consistently in 2012.

The Original Juice Box

Last week, Jenni and I were enjoying lunch at our kitchen counter and contemplating the oranges Randy had purchased the night before. Out of the blue, I remembered how my grandma used to fix an orange for me many, many years ago.

I really don’t know why I haven’t eaten an orange this way in the past thirty years because, after trying it with Jenni last week, I have to say it is the BEST way to eat on orange. “Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, how do we do it?” you are probably asking (that’s Sally from Peanuts Halloween Special in case you’re wondering). I was trying to think of how to describe the wondrous technique, but no need! When I googled “how to eat an orange,” I found that the blogger at The Hipster Home blog had already done it for me . . . with pictures. Thank you, Hipster Home Blogger. If you have not tried this, you must because it is neat, delicious, and just plain fun!

Mojo Monday 204

I almost gave up on this birthday card for my sweet friend, but I'm glad I stayed with it. Thanks for the sketch, Julee Tilman at Mojo Monday!

Some Hard Anniversaries

The end of this month marks two difficult anniversaries. Since losing my dad last August, we’ve endured lots of firsts without him. Each one has presented its unique challenges, but tomorrow will be my parents’ wedding anniversary. They would have celebrated forty-eight years together. I am more thankful than I can say for their example of committed marriage. People used to accuse me of being too picky when it came to boys, but I knew I had to hold out for someone who would love me the way my daddy loved my mama. I never once doubted my mom and dad’s love for each other—what a firm foundation for a family. In an effort to acknowledge my gratitude at this difficult time, I created this card for my mother.

I pray that she will be filled with peace, comfort, and sweet memories as she marks this first anniversary without him. I also pray for strength as we reach the one-year anniversary of Daddy’s passing next week on 8/24. I am very certain that he held on to life last year long enough to have one more anniversary with her. This year, they are apart, but because of the finished work of our Lord, they will one day be together again.

Thank you, God, for blessing me with such wonderful parents.

Just Married!

It sure makes you feel old when the little red-headed boy who was six when you got married . . .  just got married. Congratulations to my husband’s cousin’s son and his new bride who were just married last Friday. As the inside of this card notes, “May your journey of life together be one long, happy adventure!”

Happy 88th!

Last week, my father-in-law celebrated his 88^th birthday. My sister-in-law and I worked together to create a scrapbook for him of his pictures from a trip to Washington, D.C. Because he is a WWII vet, he was able to take part in the Honor Flight Program. We really enjoyed preserving those memories for him.

His birthday card was a little bit of a challenge for me because I was designing it around a couple of embellishments. My 12-year-old daughter’s craft medium of choice is polymer clay. She loves to sculpt things—the tinier, the better. She recently made some adorable mini-treats for me to use on cards and I just had to include her little cupcakes on her granddaddy’s card. I like the way it turned out.