House of Christmas cards

I was sitting at the computer yesterday working on the annual family Christmas card.  I was basically done, but my oldest came home with another new accomplishment that I wanted to add.  It reminded me of a time that I had written to a family member who I hadn't spoken to in a while.  In the letter I filled them in on what all of the kids were doing as well as my husband and I.  I was surprised when I received a note back from them letting me know how snotty I was, bragging about our accomplishment.  I was shocked!  Was I wrong to feel that way?  This was a family member that I wasn't close to anymore and I didn't feel comfortable going in to the nitty gritty of our daily lives.  You know, this time of year, do we want to air all of our dirty laundry?  Who wants to read 20 or so doom and gloom letters in a season of goodness and light?  I imagine if Mary and Joseph wrote a Christmas letter (or would they call it a census letter up to that day) they would leave out everything about the long journey on a donkey while Mary was very pregnant.  They probably wouldn't mention having to sleep in a barn!  My guess is their focus would be on the birth of our Savior, the angels, the wisemen, even the drummer boy!  This is a time to bring glad tidings of joy to those we love.  So when you are writing (or reading) your cards this year, don't be afraid to flaunt your accomplishments, God gave us this season, He gave us our talents, He has given us our blessings.  In sharing good news, we are in fact, sharing God.