When you think of Christmas, what do you envision first?
The glow of an evergreen tree shimmering with lights? Your fireplace mantel decked with stockings, garland trimming the front door, and candles in the window? Or perhaps, like so many, you picture that treasured nativity set passed down through the years and placed lovingly at the foot of the tree or as a table centerpiece.
What joy these images bring! There is one more vision of Christmases past that brings a smile to my face. It’s remembering the artful cards our family received all through December. Loved ones near and far would often send greetings assuring us of their prayers that we would enjoy a peace-filled season and prosperous new year. I didn’t realize it then, but those beautiful sentiments offered something eternal, a treasure unlike even that year’s most expensive wrapped present or the world’s best-selling fruitcake ever could.
Would you like to give a spiritually enriching Christmas gift to someone you love? I invite you to join our Lady’s Association in continuing one of its most cherished traditions of this holy season.
Request your Christmas cards to send as spiritual gifts to relatives and friends. They share beautiful sentiments of the season as we celebrate God’s gift of salvation in the birth of our infant Savior, Jesus.
“She [the virgin] will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
These cards will do more than warm the hearts of your loved ones. They will offer them the gift of sharing in an octave of Masses beginning on Christmas Day at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and concluding on January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. Your recipient will also be remembered in a Mass offered by the Vincentian community each week throughout the coming year. You may also wish to burn votive lights and remember your loved ones at Christmas.
We ask that you request your cards this early so we can make sure you receive them in plenty of time to order more, if you would like. You may wish to call us at
1-800-264-6279.
With the same joyful anticipation that Mary carried in her heart, we await the birth of Jesus, the “one who saves.” It’s a message I know you cherish. I hope you will share it in a card with family and friends on your Christmas list. Not only those strong in faith, but also those who may have fallen away from the confident hope in Jesus’ saving love for them.
Perhaps, receiving your card will bring back to them the faith of their youth. Or, at the very least, the fondest memories of Christmases past. Surely they’ll smile to know you’re remembering them at the holidays.
Nothing brings our Lady more gladness than our love for her Son.
Thank you for all you do for our Lady’s Association. Be assured that our Vincentian family and AMM staff continue to pray for you and yours, especially during this holy season.
With joy in our infant Savior,
Fr. Kevin McCracken, C.M.
Spiritual Director
P.S. Be sure to order your cards before November 20. That will help ensure you receive them in time to mail before Christmas.