Ten minutes to write. Less time to read.

With one exception a couple years back, I haven’t sent Christmas cards for thirty-nine years. Even so, I’m often amazed at the number of cards Earl and I receive without reciprocating. (To be truthful, Earl sends some cards but not a ton.)

This year, I’m struck with how many cards focus on children. We’ve received several photo-cards featuring the offspring of family and friends who are younger than we are (Our peer group isn’t the one having babies anymore!). Each photo is cuter than the next. There’s been Vaughn and Charlie and Stephanie and Ellie and Greta Anne. And I’m sure I’ll get an update on Hunter and Hannah before December 25. And maybe Sarah and Sloan too.

I like seeing these children, because aren’t children what Christmas is about? I don’t meant visits to the mall to sit on Santa’s lap or the frenzy of opening brightly wrapped gifts. I don’t mean leaving Santa a plate of cookies and a glass of milk either. I mean that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Whether you believe or not, that’s the historical origin. It isn’t Santa or Rudolph or Frosty the Snowman. Or Charlie Brown.

I know Jesus’ mother didn’t send Christmas greetings, but if she had I would have looked forward to receiving an announcement, one with a photo of the Christ child. I would have displayed it on my piano lid, along with the other children I’m honored to know. And I would have looked forward to an annual update via a holiday card. Thanks to all those out there who feature children in their greetings; they may not know it, but they continue the true spirit of the season.