Cards

This is a picture of a card I received a couple of weeks ago. It was from a young child on one of the occasions when I was Santa. It is my favourite card this Christmas and the wide eyed innocence with which it was given to me as Santa almost reduced me to tears.

I’ve valued all the cards that I’ve been given and the thoughts behind them: thank you. Those who have taken the time to write a personal note or letter: you have thought far more than I do.

Several years ago, I stopped writing cards. The first time it happened, I felt overwhelmed with being in a job/vocation where the lead up to Christmas was always intense; that coupled with the pressures of everyday life led to a feeling of ‘too much’. I felt an immediate sense of relief, followed by guilt: ‘They’ve written me a card, I *should* send them one’. (Using the word ‘should’ in any sentence is never good btw).

I still haven’t returned to doing so: time still feels overly pressured . The vague sense of guilt has never quite gone though.

If I was more organised next year, here are three things that I could do:-

1: I admire people who don’t send cards and then post on social media, wishing people Happy Christmas and sending a large charitable donation in lieu of that. It reminds me of the Bruce Cockburn lyric ‘Got to kick at the darkness ’til it bleeds daylight’: ordinary kindness which does that in a gentle way.

2: ‘The problem of our world is that we draw the circle of our family too small.’ (Mother Teresa). When I gave cards out, I’d always attempt to do it discretely: I didn’t want people whom I didn’t have a card for to feel excluded- part of the Christmas message is that everyone is included. If I’m to give cards again, I wonder if I could give them out loudly and freely to everyone whom I’m with on any given club/social occasion- maybe that would surprise some: ‘I didn’t think he knew me or liked me that much.’ It might teach me something about the generosity of grace. Better still: I could do this last minute so that no one was tempted to reciprocate.

3: I could write personal letters. I’d have to start in September: I wonder if it would give people as much joy as I get from receiving them?

I am however a lazy ethicist: I write well and my actions invariably lag behind those intentions.

Anyway: Happy Christmas- I love you all!