Christmas is a very special time for the Catholic Church, as it celebrates the birth of our saviour, Jesus Christ. Each year, the Apostolate of Eucharistic Adoration distributes their Irish Christmas cards,  helping to remind everyone there is more to the festive season than just unwrapping presents.

For most people, December 25th has become far removed from celebrating the birth of Jesus or anticipating his return. With the theme of adoration at its heart, our Apostolate’s religious Christmas cards help us focus more on what the season is all about – The Divine choosing to become one of us.

The true meaning of Christmas is that Jesus came to live among us as a man. He suffered and died for our sins so we can be with Him in Heaven. Ultimately, His life and death are all great gifts of love for us. Our Catholic Christmas Cards rekindle our faith and remind us that Xmas is not all about us, but about Jesus.

As an Apostolate, we pray that each of our Irish Christmas cards becomes a beacon of light, helping each home and family find Jesus Christ. And where can He be found? The Magi answer this as they journey towards Bethlehem (the house of Bread) – “He awaits us in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar”.

The first of our traditional Irish Christmas cards depicts the holy family, with the child Jesus looking at St Joseph, while being supported by His mother. As the Blessed Virgin and St Joseph, gaze in adoration, the child Jesus raises his right arm, as if he’s giving a blessing. St Joseph, being ever attentive is close by ready to embrace the child.

Without words, and by their presence alone, Mary and Joseph teach us that words are no substitute for the heart. The part of us that no one sees is what’s most important to Jesus. Adoration is first and foremost an attitude of delightful worship, that our love for Christ lies at the core of our lives.

Inside the Holy Family card a picture of the consecrated bread and wine (the body and blood of Christ) is depicted above the words, “Come let us adore Him”. And the following bible quote: “Indeed this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks upon the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life. Him I will raise up on the last day.” (John 6:40).

“The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered on 25th December for all your needs and intentions”.

Our second traditional design portrays Our Lady of the Rosary with the baby Jesus among the angels and a monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament in the foreground. As the baby Jesus holds aloft a rosay in each hand, we are reminded how the rosary leads one to the divine Trinity of Persons, through the hearts and minds of Jesus Incarnate and Mary immaculate.

In the quote from Isaiah, God tells His worshippers that He will not set like the sun or wane like the moon, rather, he will shed light upon them throughout eternity. In the amazing gift of the Eucharist, in the Blessed Sacrament, that promise is kept, and we have that continuing presence and love of Jesus, still with us today!

Inside is a special blessing along with the following Christmas card message from Pope Benedict XVI:

“Let us make haste, like the Shepherds on that night in Bethlehem. God has come to meet us; He has shown us His face, full of grace and mercy. May His coming to us not be in vain. Let us seek Jesus, let us be drawn to His light which dispels sadness and fear from every human heart. Let us draw near to Him with confidence, and bow down in humility to adore Him.” (Urbu et Orbi, Christmas 2008)

“The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered on 25th December for all your needs and intentions”.

The first of our modern Irish Christmas cards shows the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus. Behind them, a consecrated host illuminates the night sky. The letters IHS on the host represent the holy name of Jesus in Greek, otherwise known as a Christogram. While the bible quote from Matthew reminds us that Christ is still with us in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.

Established at the Last Supper, the Blessed Sacrament was foreseen by God from the beginning of creation; and from the beginning of Jesus’ earthly life, even when He was in His mother’s arms, He was preparing the way for it. “Behold the Virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name Him Emmanuel – God is with us.” (Matthew 1:23).

Inside our Virgin Mary with Baby Jesus card is a special blessing along with a beautiful reflection, “If you look for me at Christmas”. Above the reflection, Our Lady holds the Blessed Sacrament in adoration, reminding us that the same Jesus that came into our world in Bethlehem, is with us in the Blessed Sacrament, truly and substantially, to this very day.

“The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered on 25th December for all your needs and intentions”.

Our nativity scene Christmas postcard portrays a crib with the baby Jesus in a manger. Above the crib the stars illuminate a monstrance in the night sky with angels close by, Coming into this world, the Son of God was laid in the place where animals feed. Hay became the first bed of the one who would later reveal Himself as “The bread come down from Heaven” (John 6:41).

St Francis of Assisi created the first-ever nativity scene in 1223 to encourage further worship of Christ. Ever since then, it has become a meaningful expression of our Catholic faith. Ultimately, the nativity scene reminds us of the humble beginnings of Jesus, the importance of family, and the miracle of God becoming man.

The inside the nativity scene postcard is adorned by our Apostolate’s emblem and two bible quotes: “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31).

“He came to his own country, but his own people did not receive him. Some, however, did receive him and believed in him; so he gave them the right to become God’s children” (John 1 11:12).

These bible quotes stress the importance of having a personal relationship with Jesus, and what better way to do this than spending time with Him in the Blessed Sacrament this holiday season.

“The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered on 25th December for all your needs and intentions”.

The Magi were wise men who studied the stars and were aware of the Jewish belief in the coming of a Messiah. So God used what they were familiar with to call them to adore Christ – a star. When they observed the new star over Bethlehem, they realized something special was happening. Similarly, in our own lives, God will use what is familiar to us to call us to Himself.

Setting the perfect example for us, they laid their lives down before Him in complete surrender and adoration. Additionally, the 3 gifts presented to our Lord, showed that they acknowledged this child as the divine King. Gold for a King, frankincense for a God, and myrrh for someone who would die. Thus, their adoration was grounded in the truths of who this child was.

Inside the Magi Christmas postcard, a picture of the nativity scene shows the wise men and others adoring their newborn King, with a special Xmas blessing below. While on the opposite side, there’s a promise that the card recipient’s needs and welfare will be brought before Jesus during Eucharistic Adoration over the holiday season.

“The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered on 25th December for all your needs and intentions”.