ALL THY WONDROUS WORKS

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
                                                                                           Psalm 26:7

When we were first married in 1966, we lived in a small four room upstairs apartment on Grove St. in Hudson. When the Christmas season began to roll around our first year of marriage, we began to contemplate what we would do about sending Christmas cards. After looking at cards we could buy to send to friends and family, the idea hit us that we should make our own cards. We both liked the idea and set to work creating and producing the cards we wanted to send. Little did we know that we were establishing a tradition of making our own cards that we continue to this day.

We still remember the design of our first card which contained two candles made of gold and silver foil wrapping paper which were glued to white card stock paper. It is easy to recall exactly what the outside of the card looked like, but we can't remember how we composed the inside greeting. If our memories serve us correctly, a hand written note was on the inside of each card. At that time we probably sent no more than 25-30 cards. Ever since that Christmas we have faithfully created our Christmas card with few exceptions.

Christmas card in the making

One year we ran short of our Christmas cards and ended up giving some of Paul's teachers a boughten card. Several of them later expressed their disappointment that they had not received a homemade card. Some people have been known to actually frame some of the cards they have received. Paul's relatives in France have kept many of these Christmas cards over the years. The number of cards that we send has grown to many times the number we sent in 1966.

The final touch

When the Christmas card is composed, our desire is that it reflects the true meaning of Christmas. Often the card will include a verse of Scripture or a thought that focuses on the birth of Christ. Many send Christmas cards during this holiday season. God has also sent His letter to us through the holy Scriptures telling of he birth of Christ who became the suffering servant described in the book of Isaiah. May God speak to us through His Word in a special way this Christmas season.

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul, Gail, Patsy, and Penny