The Mennobrarian

The Christmas Letter

Do you enjoy receiving Christmas letters?

 My husband wants us to write a Christmas letter, to send out with our cards.

 Translation: He really wants me, as Director of Household Affairs and Public Relations, to write the Christmas letter.

 I am so embarrassed.

 There are so many things I would rather do than write an impersonal, copied letter recounting our blessings and achievements of the past year. It strikes me as showy, ostentatious, proud.

 It is not who we are.

 “Why do you want to do this? Everyone already knows we got married, bought a house, took our wedding trip, and came home with a dog.”

 “Well, yes, but they might not know we got a second dog,” he replied.

 “Why didn’t you just send out announcements for the dogs then?”

 Sigh.

 We never wrote a family Christmas letter when I was a child. Those who dared to send us one were always viewed by my parents as suspect and vain. I can’t even imagine what our family Christmas letter would have looked like. Maybe something where we thanked God for an inconsistent stream of income generated by my father’s intermittent employment, a plea for prayer for decreased yelling in our home, followed by a list of relatives we weren’t speaking to, and to what degree they, in turn, were ignoring us. You can see why a colorful letter bearing the news of world travels, motor vehicle acquisitions, and job promotions might have been viewed as less than edifying.

 There is also a part of me that thinks, cynically, if you don’t already know about the important recent events in my life, then how meaningful is it for you to find out in a mass-generated Christmas press release? Some people have told me they actually enjoy receiving Christmas letters, so long as they are tastefully written and simply highlight any major happenings within the family. One friend thought thinks they are a good way to catch up with a friend's family during the busy time of year. Some have told me they do not enjoy them if they are full of inane anecdotes (how many times the new pet had accidents on the rug), jokes (“Evan is king of kindergarten!”), or minutiae (“The second doctor thought the first diagnosis was somewhat correct, but ran three more tests…”)

Please don’t be offended by this post if you write and send out a Christmas letter on behalf of your family. After all, we’ll be sending one out, too.

Christmas Letters

08:16, Wednesday, November 21, 2007 .. Posted by rellamom

How would your husband feel about simple hand-written notes inside sent cards?

I know that these are most special to me, upon receipt! Hardly anyone, nowadays, writes a personal letter much less more than "Love Aunt Pat" on the inside of a card.

My favorite cards, at Christmas, come with a long-awaited (and desired) note from a "long lost" relative within. They're precious! (And they incite a response!)

Love,
Carrie
How I Love Thee

Carrie, I agree a hundred percent! And personally, I love writing letters, but to write a hundred or so personal letters that all say the same thing (as it would be in this case) would wear out even the most hardened letter-writer. Our Christmas card list would put my hand into retirement! Love, Monica

Edited by Mennobrarian on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 09:46

<i>Untitled Comment</i>

02:52, Friday, November 23, 2007 .. Posted by SisterLori

Blessings!
I agree with you about the Christmas Letter dilemma. My parents have done one for the last 20 years (largely due to their change in status I think). The funny part is getting these letters each year with OUR doings rather than theirs so it doesn't really leave anything for us to share with family:P
Since we are far removed from our family and old friends we chose to do a letter, however it's not the normal "this is what Norman is doing with is life" type letter. What we did was share how the Lord has worked in our lives over the past year. Giving Him the glory for all the things that we have received, given, changed, helped with, etc. We found that it was more a witness than a letter really.
I do write a personall little note in a card or two of family/friends that have stayed in close touch.
Just my two cents:)
God be with thee!
Sister Lori

Thank you, Sister Lori! This is exactly where I was hoping this would lead, that is, finding a way to give God glory through it. I won't be able to resist writing a few personal lines to those close to us, as that is my policy as well. God bless you and your lovely family.
Monica

Edited by Mennobrarian on Friday, November 23, 2007 at 07:09

Untitled Comment

04:48, Tuesday, November 27, 2007 .. Posted by rildapeel1

I only receive a Christmas letter from one lady that I used to clean for. She is over 80 now and lives in two different places during the year according to the season. I enjoy it trendmendously too. I was so thrilled to hear how she journeyed through the year. The year her husband passed she said " I told him it was OK to go on to heaven." then he did. I wasn't there during that time to be with her but to know she felt that way made me have JOY. For letting go of anything can bring grief in different measures. I know her children only in name and her grand and great grand children and I love to hear her connection with them in her letter. I keep those letters. She has excitment as she writes of them and I know it is God and those memories which give her JOY! Sorry so long.
I don't write one but I do put in some kind of Christmas something. This year a ornament to hang on their tree to let them know they are in my thoughts and I will write a prayer in each one. Oh what JOY and Fun to share God with another. Blessing! rilda