These days, personalized Christmas cards are available in an endless variety of designs and themes, but one of my favorites is Peace on Earth holiday cards. For me, this sentiment really conveys what the holiday is all about. It also reminds me of one of the most special Christmas cards that I received many years ago. The Christmas card was from my cousin Mike. He was serving in Vietnam during the war and counting the days until his tour of duty was up so he could come home to his family in Pennsylvania. A few days before Christmas, he sent me a beautiful Peace on Earth holiday card that expressed his wishes. It showed “The Lion and the Lamb” resting peacefully side by side. I cried like a baby when I read Mike’s Christmas card and I hoped and prayed for his safe return. Thankfully, my prayers were answered and my cousin came home safe and sound three weeks later.
As I think back on that time so long ago, I realize that the one thing that all of us wish for, especially at Christmas time, is peace on Earth. This might seem like a pipedream that will never come true, but I don’t ever want to give up hope that we someday will live on a peaceful planet. I suppose that sounds naïve and unrealistic. Well, maybe so. It would probably take a miracle for our world to be at peace, but Christmas is a time for miracles, so I’m going to keep on hoping.
This Christmas, I’ll be sending Peace on Earth holiday cards to all my friends and family. Sending holiday cards is a small but meaningful gesture, one that will make me feel a little more hopeful that one day Mike’s wish will become a reality.