We’ve starting to get the inflow of “Here’s What Our Family Did This Year” letters. You would think that after a few years of comparing and contrasting thses things we would all come to the realization that people are either not telling the whole story or our lives are increadibly boring. It’s always the same ole stuff. The husband is either blessed with his current job, blessed with his old job or he is blessed to be looking for a job. If the wife is working then ditto the husband’s comments just worded a bit differently, or if she’s at home then she is blessed to be at home raising the children. The children’s description are mostly about what activities they are involved in or any awards they recieved through out the year. The closest thing to bad news I’ve ever seen in one of these letters is how someone is doing so well in their chemotherapy.

So did it all start with one great Christmas letter that has been replicated and victimized by bad writting and vanity? Is it just another way for someone to show the world that their family is “normal”? Or Is it an attempt to show the fruits of the past year in the best light possible? Think about that - can you sum up the fruits of your year in, “I’m blessed to have a job”? It is good to have a job but what is that job providing for? Is it a means to an end or just a source of income to support our addictions to food and technology? How are you teaching your kids the values of Christ? Is there a dream you are slowly but surely moving toward? Or is your life the job?

Don’t get me wrong. I like getting these types of letters, send ‘em on. But please … tell me about what really happened in your family this year. How are you advancing God’s kingdom? How are you growing in your life walk? How are your kids growing in character and knowledge? What are your struggles? How did you fail this year? What are your plans for next year? I don’t think I’ll be sending out a formal letter. That’s why I have this blog - you can stay informed year round. But these are all questions that I will keep in mind as I write throughout this holiday season.