But no matter what type of card or style of note you send, the most important part of your Christmas message may not necessarily be the great family photo, the nice gift enclosed, or even anything you have to say. It may be a Bible verse, from the Word that never changes. The truth is, many people all around celebrate Christmas but have never connected personally with the very Savior of the world we celebrate. The message of what Christmas is really all about often gets blurred in busyness, materialism, or tradition. Yet God’s Word is powerful and true. And even a heartfelt sentiment of what He has done in your life this year, or sharing a scripture that has influenced your own family or points others to the gift of Christ, may send a lasting hope that someone desperately needs to read. Don’t ever doubt the power of His word and His ability to work through every single truth shared that pours light into a dark world or needy soul. You may never be aware of how many have watched you through the year and wondered about the hope and joy you seem to have in your life. What better time to share the peace we have found through Christ Jesus?
And if you’re not sure what to share or where to turn, here’s a start with 10 hope-filled verses that may be a fit for your family’s Christmas cards this year:
1. Who Jesus is to Us
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
This powerful Truth spoken through Isaiah the prophet 700 years before Jesus was even born is still so relevant and needed today. He’s more than a baby in a manger; He’s alive and active in our world today. He holds the victory over sin and death. He is our Wonderful Counselor. He is a powerful and Mighty God. He is everlasting, and the giver of true peace.
Photo credit: ©Thinkstock
2. We Don't Have to Live in Fear, for We Have the Good News of Hope in Christ our Lord
“But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
Jesus came to this earth right in the middle of the night. Light ushered in, straight across a backdrop of darkness. How telling of what He had come to do. And at the announcement of our Savior’s birth, the first thing the angel said was “Do not be afraid…” Our world today can often seem dark. It’s hard not to worry and be afraid of what surrounds us. But Jesus is still the same, for He never changes. He is the good news, He is our joy bringer, He is the Light of this world, so we don’t have to fear.
Photo credit: ©Thinkstock/cranach
3. Jesus Came to Our World to Point Us to the Father
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
Jesus chose to live among us, He “dwelt” with us, laying aside all the majesty of heaven, so he could walk in this world and point us to the Father. That is a miracle. God came to us. He reaches for us even today, always full of grace and the truth that sets us free. May we never miss the miraculous because we’re too busy or distracted with other things.
Photo credit: ©Thinkstock/Jorisvo
4. Nothing Can Separate Us from the Love of Christ
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
Christmas can be a difficult and lonely time for so many. Maybe the year has held great loss and heartache, maybe some find themselves in the midst of huge brokenness or painful circumstances. We all need to be reminded that God loves us, that He cares, and that nothing has the power to separate us from Him.
Photo credit: ©Thinkstock/weerapatkiatdumrong
5. He is Emmanuel, God with Us
"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us"; Matthew 1:23).
God never promised our way would always be “easy,” or that His presence with us meant a life of convenience or comfort. But He did promise this, over and over in His word: He would be “with us” in it all, and would never leave us. He alone holds the power to turn around any difficult season or loss we may be facing, and bring great blessing and good through it all. His very name reminds us that He is always near, and we are never alone—what a powerful hope.
Photo credit: ©Thinkstock/StockPhotosArt
6. God Gave His Greatest Gift, His One and Only Son, that We Might Live Through Him
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
The whole message of Christmas can be summed up here: God loved, He gave. He provided a way for us to live free. This powerful verse unpacks the truth of why Jesus came. There is no other way for us to be saved except through Him.
Photo credit: ©Thinkstock
7. Jesus Gives Us Joy, Peace, and Hope that This World Can Never Offer
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
If we’ve lived long enough, we know one thing to be true: We will never find true hope, joy, and peace in this world. Not ever. Only in God can we find what we need to live free. He is our hope-bringer, our joy-instiller, our peace-giver. May He fill us so that we overflow this season with the goodness and blessing of all that He is.
Photo credit: ©Thinkstock/manop1984
8. God is the Giver of All Great Gifts
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).
God is the author of every good and perfect gift. We can trust that He knows our needs before we even ask, and we can depend on Him to provide. Many may find themselves facing huge challenges and financial losses this season. But God promises that He never changes, and He loves to give good gifts to His children. When we take our eyes off the problems and begin to notice all of his blessings that surround us, it can truly change our hearts and focus this season. Every day is a precious gift; may we never take it for granted.
Photo credit: @Thinkstock
9. We Have So Much to be Grateful for! Thank God for the Gift of Christ
“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
In the midst of all the gift-giving and Christmas celebrations, the simple truth that Jesus is indeed our greatest gift can often get passed over. We can know it in our heads and even speak those words aloud, yet our hearts seem far away. When we take some time to reflect on the magnitude of the gift of God’s Son, and what it offers us today, it truly has the power to change our whole focus this season. There is no greater gift. He is worthy of our thanks and praise at Christmas and all year through!
Photo credit: ©Thinkstock
10. Salvation is in Christ Alone; We Have New Life and Hope Through Him
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” (Romans 10:9-10).
Jesus came to save. The manger is empty and so is the tomb. He’s alive today and calls us to live free through the sacrifice He made on our behalf. It’s a free gift, but we have to choose. He gave His life for us, so we could live forever. No greater joy … thank you Lord!
If you’re sending cards this year, pray about what God may want you to include. He will be faithful to show you. Pray that His word will be alive in the hearts of those that read it and that He will draw them to the Savior. Pray for every person and family you send a card to, and for God’s blessing and peace to surround them this season.
May God bless you as you write, share, and send His words of light and hope into the world!
Photo credit: @Thinkstock/JessicaRuscello
Originally published Wednesday, 29 November 2023.