Christmas Cards

Now is the time of year when families all over dress up the kids and go out in search of the perfect Christmas card picture. I remember it well. Our best Christmas card pictures were taken when we were goofing off. It's funny how, to get that perfect picture you have to go through 4 rolls of film (luckily digital camaras have made things easier). Flash didn't go off, someone had their eyes closed, red eye disease, someone was caught gold digging, angry faces saying "hurry up already!" And then, Ahhh, the perfect pìcture. Beautiful smiles, lovely pose...the perfect family has been captured perfectly.

It's funny how families all over search for perfection. You never get real life Christmas card pictures in the mail with everyone in their PJs and messy hair and no make-up, or kids with dirty faces, or frowns. Everyone's always clean, dressed up and smiling. We want people to see perfection, but what makes us human and not robots is our imperfection.

I think everyone has received the typical Christmas card LETTER too. Oh you know what I'm talking about...we've all gotten a good laugh out of them. My sister even fell into the trap of writing one last year! Which I got a kick out of, but I still love her. Every year my family got a Christmas card letter from the same family updating us on their perfection. "Well it's been a wonderful year. Sarah decided to follow her dream of traveling the world, Bob is now working from home, and little Ronnie spends all day pursuing new technological advances." What really went on was that Sarah got kicked out of college and became a truck driver, Bob got fired and now stays home with the kids, and little Ronnie is glued to his PlayStation all day! It seems like we've always got something to prove. Always trying to keep up with the Jones'.

The Cleaver's were not a real a family. A real family is one that's faulty and flawed, but based on love. A real family is not always successful in life. A real family is one that has trials and struggles, but that sticks together. The world is full of real families that are flawed, who are just trying to fool everyone.

José pointed out to me the other day something that is so true. He said he didn't understand why sending Christmas cards was so important. Why is remembering to send a Christmas card to the neighbors so important, but we've never even invited them over for coffee. No one has seen the 'Johnsons' in years or ever cared enough to call and see how they were doing, but if they don't send us a Christmas card...the friendship is over! It doesn't make much sense does it?

I'm not saying by any means that we should stop doing these things, because, heck, it's a Christmas tradition. I love getting a good chuckle reading the Christmas letters as much as the next guy! But I do think we put too much importance on petty issues. Instead of trying to cover up our family flaws and sugar coat them, lets embrace them. Our imperfection is what makes us beautiful and God's grace is the only thing that can cover them.

In the meantime, here are some of the past Edwards' Family perfect Christmas pictures! I have to admit...they are perfect pictures...even if we aren't.