Christmas Card Thoughts: Enough with the Vague Cards of Goodwill
At the risk of sounding like too much of a grouch, I nevertheless want to express my disappointment at most of the cards my family received these past few weeks. Very few mentioned Christmas at all, much less had any explicit religious content. This is especially unsettling because most of the people who sent us their vague cards of goodwill are Catholic, or some other form of Christian.
If you are Catholic, and I am Catholic, why can you not be bothered to wish me a Merry Christmas? Are you worried about your non-Christian friends? Try considering this. First, they might not be over-sensitive and will not get offended if you wish them Merry Christmas. Second, you can buy two sets of cards: one for Christian friends and a second, secular set for everyone else. Third, if you cannot manage to do either of the above, how about writing the words “Merry Christmas” on the card yourself. Is that too hard?
The Rev. James Martin S.J. has more thoughts:
Still unconvinced? Try a thought experiment. For your next birthday, how would you feel about getting a birthday card with my photo on it? “Happy Birthday! It’s a photo of me!” My modest campaign against family cards has less chance of success than another Ralph Nader presidential bid. People will accuse me of being anti-family. But I’m not: I’m more pro-Holy Family. Plus, I’m battling Snapfish, Shutterfly, Kodak and a lot of online card stores that have been promoting this idea with more resources than a poor Jesuit can muster.
So I’ll leave you with a simple plea. Place those great photos inside the card. Or how about this: When choosing your Christmas cards this year, think more Jesus and less you. Or, more Virgin Mary, and less Virgin Islands.
