The History of the Christmas Card

The History of the Christmas Card

The custom of sending Christmas cards is now so well established that it is surprising to discover that it is only about one hundred years old.  Valentine cards were popular in the mid-eighteenth century, and New Year cards were exchanged in Europe a long time before Christmas cards became accepted, in the 1870’s.

Other early forerunners were the Christmas greetings that children brought home from school, done in their best handwriting on decorated paper, to present to proud parents.  Traders would also leave specially decorated visiting cards at Christmas.  But it is an Englishman, Sir Henry Cole, who is credited with the idea of the first Christmas card.

Cole was the first director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.  He was a businessman with a keen interest in art.  In December 1843, he found he had little time to write individual Christmas greetings to his friends, so he decided to produce a printed card.  The artist John Calcott Horsley drew a design which Cole approved, and the first Christmas card was born.  It had a picture of a family enjoying the festivities, with two side panels showing acts of charity.  One thousand of the cards were printed and sold for a shilling each.

The idea was not an overnight success.  However, advances in the color printing process and the introduction of the halfpenny post for cards in the 1870’s meant that Christmas cards started to gain widespread popularity in England.  By 1880, the Post Office was having to broadcast it’s annual advice: “Post early for Christmas’, familiar to those who live in Great Britain.

At around the same time, Christmas cards were becoming popular in America through the work of Louis Prang, a German living in Massachusetts.  He introduced high-quality cars and helped to spread their appeal by organizing nation-wide competitions for the best design.  Many of the designs still seen today originated with the earliest Christmas cards.  Snow-scenes, pictures of festive feasting and nativity scenes were all popular.  Other early cards were more elaborate, coming in the shape of fans, stars, and scrolls.  Some even had silk finishes and pictures that could be ‘animated’ by pulling a tab.

This year, one of the best ways to bring someone Christmas cheer is to send them a card.  At the same time, take a minute to write a sentence of two of what they mean to you.  It’s one more way to show His love.

Reflections:

1)  How are you most encouraged through the Christmas season?  Music? Cards?

2)  Are Christmas cards a tradition for you?

Symbols of the Season

Symbols of the Season

There’s something different about Christmas!  Always has been.  The symbols, smells, and songs cry out the joyful reminder that hope is here.

The first Christmas day must have been a sight to behold.  As the faithful shepherds sat passing the time away, all heaven broke loose.  Luke penned the exciting event so eloquently in chapter 2 verses 10 & 11:  “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (NIV)

If the Bethlehem Times was in circulation, they would have scrambled to get such an earth-shaking headline.  Can you imagine the front page:  GOD ARRIVES IN BABY SIZED BODY or CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE WAS BORN IN A BARN?  But rather than using CNN, the Internet, AT&T, a Prime-Time Network, or a major newspaper, God handed the greatest news ever heard

to a handful of humble human heralds.  And He’s still giving that same message to anyone humble enough to receive it today.

As we savor the sights and sounds of Christmas this year, let the symbols that surround us help us recall the hope that Christ brings:

THE CHRISTMAS TREE:  The beauty and fragrance of the Christmas tree are a lasting tradition that ushers in this unique time of year.  Much is often made of the pagan roots that accompany the tree yet hold no connection to the reason we celebrate.  We are reminded of another kind of tree, one that was used to construct a cross and its color which signifies eternal life.  The babe of Christmas would grow in stature and give Himself for mankind.  Philippians 2:8 says, “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death-even death on a cross.”

THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS:  The bright and attractive glow of the Christmas lights can be seen on houses, trees and decorations.  Lights are always best displayed where darkness is most prevalent.  Such was the case when the Roman government brought a yoke of enslavement and the religious institutions bred lifelessness.  At that time, the divine light entered into a dark setting.  John 12:46 says, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

THE CHRISTMAS GIFTS:  The thrill and anticipation of giving and receiving gifts brings Christmas to a long-awaited culmination.  Whether a bike, doll, dress, or tool, the gift is not the point as much as the spirit it is given.  Ultimately, they remind us of the greatest gift ever given.  Romans 6:23 reminds us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

While we cherish the external signs that encompass our senses during this wonderful time of year, may we never lose sight of the internal meanings that truly make a difference in our spiritual lives.  Christ has a way of making Christmas special that way.  Always has.  Always will.

Savoring Our Savior,

Terry Risser

Copyright 2015 Terry Risser

Because of the Christ Child…

Because of the Christ Child…

Christmas has a way of pulling us in many directions.  For many, the driving forces of the season is about completing lists, attending events, and spending time with people.  All of these are good things but there is something deeper Christ wants to do.  After all, most of these are based on what we do rather than truly finding fulfillment in who He has created us to be.  As someone said, “We are not human “doings” but human “beings.”  See if the Christ child might help us to understand a little more of God’s plan as He brings security, acceptance, and significance that only He can fully offer.

I AM SECURE

Romans 8:1-2         I am free from condemnation

Romans 8:28          I am assured that all things work together for good

Romans 8:31-34     I am free from condemnation charges against me

Romans 8:35-39     I cannot be separated from the love of God

2 Cor. 1:21-22        I have been established, anointed and sealed by God

Col. 3:3                   I am hidden with Christ in God

Phil. 1:6                  I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me

                               will be perfected

Phil. 3:20                I am a citizen of heaven

2 Tim. 1:7               I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a 

                               sound mind

Heb. 4:16                I can find grace and mercy to help in a time of need

1 John 5:18            I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me

I AM ACCEPTED

John 1:12               I am God’s child…

John 15:15             I am Christ’s friend

Romans 5:1         I have been justified

1 Cor. 6:17            I am united with the Lord, and I am one spirit with Him

1 Cor. 6:19, 20      I have been bought with a price.  I belong to God.

1 Cor. 12:27          I am a member of Christ’s body.

Eph. 1:1                 I am a saint

Eph. 1:5                 I have been adopted as God’s child

Eph. 2:18               I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit

Col. 1:14                I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins

Col. 2:10                I am complete in Christ

  

I AM SIGNIFICANT

Matt. 5:13,14         I am the salt and light of the earth

John 15:5               I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life

John 15:16             I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit

Acts 1:8                  I am a personal witness of Christ.

1 Cor. 3:16             I am God’s temple.

2 Cor. 5:17-21       I am a minister of reconciliation for God

2 Cor. 6:1               I am God’s co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9)

Eph. 2:6                  I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.

Eph. 2:10                I am God’s workmanship

Eph. 3:12                I may approach God with freedom and confidence

Phil. 4:13                 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

Verses By Neil Anderson

We have been given a new identity because of the baby in the manger this Christmas.   We only need to kneel at the cross to find His answers to all that we need in our hearts.

Pastor Terry

Reflections:

1)  What area of identity tends to be most important (accomplishments, appearance, or accumulations)?

2) Which area of Christ offer speaks to you the strongest (security, acceptance, or significance)?

The Light of Christmas

The Light of Christmas

“I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”  Isaiah 49:6

Try to imagine a Christmas without lights?  Jennings Osborne probably can’t.  It seems a few years back, he lit his home in Little Rock, Arkansas, with 3 million of them.  Count ‘em…3 and six 0’s.  That’s 30,000 boxes of 100 and a glow that could give you a Coppertone suntan.  I’ll bet every Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club in the state were racing fast and furious to restock their shelves when Ol’ Jen paid a visit.  For some people, a few reindeer, a plastic Santa and a little manger scene just won’t cut it.  His life’s motto is, “If you’re gonna do it, do it big.”  And big he does.

Problem is, Osborne’s philosophy has often clashed with places where energy shortages have occurred and where they have frowned upon such grandiose displays this Christmas.  This new challenge has threatened to put a little damper on the Yuletide festivities.  Christmas without lights?  That’s like Starbuck’s without coffee.  McDonald’s without Big Macs and Firestone without tires.  But you get the point.  It’s just not the same.

Roy Rivenburg, L.A. Times columnist, gave some thoughtful (though not so helpful) suggestions that can bring a glimmer of hope in a low-wattage winter. 

-Require Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to switch to an energy-efficient fluorescent nose bulb.

-Use California’s vast, untapped reserve of hamster power.  Connect Christmas tree lights to the exercise wheels inside the hamster cage.

- Glow-in-the-dark tree ornaments.

-Synchronize all twinkling lights so that when Northern California bulbs flash on, Southern California lights flash off, thereby slashing peak electricity consumption.

Many years ago, there was another light shortage.  Worse than the kind some places have had over the past few years…actually a place with no light whatsoever.  C.S. Lewis described it so well: “It was always winter, but never Christmas.”  What a bleak and depressing depiction that is.  In some places around the world, the Christmas light is the one thing that makes the winter bearable.  It’s the proverbial light in the middle of the tunnel.

Israel was the place. Having faced years of captivity from the Assyrian empire around 700 B.C. (and later the Babylonians), a message came from Isaiah that would bring a radiant glimmer in the darkness through his suffering servant prophecy.  In Isaiah 49:6, he foretold, “I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”  Jump ahead 700 years and you find Simeon in the temple as he holds the baby Jesus in his hands and relates the fulfillment of Isaiah’s words in Luke 2:25.  He says, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people.”  Ol’ Jen from Little Rock would have to agree with Ol’ Simeon from Jerusalem…God had done it up big. It’s good news to everyone!  We’ll never have a Light-shortage again.

Terry Risser

Reflections:

1)  Can you name a time where your life seemed the darkest?

2)  How did God reveal His light to you?

Copyright 2015- Terry Risser