Your Christmas greeting will be treasured and read may times. 7-year-old Lizbeth from Ecuador loves receiving letters from her sponsor so much that she actually memorises them!

But it can feel tricky to know where to begin. Well, before writer’s block sets in, we’re here to help with 5 ideas of how to write an encouraging message to the child you sponsor.

A written message is one of the most special gifts you’ll give this Christmas – it’ll only take a few minutes but will mean the world.

Send a greeting

5 ideas for topics to include in your Christmas greeting

1. Something you’re grateful for this year

The child you support will love to hear how you’ve experienced God’s faithfulness during the past year. Life is full of ups and downs for all of us. Being able to see beyond our circumstances and recognise the ways God has blessed and sustained us is a wonderful way we can honour our Heavenly Father and encourage each other.

Why would they want to hear my news, you might wonder! Well, as much as you’re interested in your sponsored child’s life, they’re equally curious about yours! The children enrolled on the Compassion programme have an eager interest in their sponsors and love to hear about your family, experiences and cultures.

So, share something you’re thankful to God for and give the child you sponsor a valued insight into your life.

For example: During this last year, I’ve been so grateful for my church family. We meet on Sundays to pray and sing and learn from the Bible, then we share coffee and biscuits and have a good chat. I'm so grateful for Christian friends to have fun with and who support me by praying for me or helping — when I was ill earlier this year, my church friends phoned me and offered to bring me some shopping. I felt very loved and supported.

2. How you’re praying for your sponsored child

For many of the children and families we serve, the soaring cost of living and food insecurity have hit hard. We suggest reminding the child you sponsor that you’re praying specifically for him or her during these times of uncertainty.

You could write out your specific prayers for your sponsored child’s health and safety.

For example: I am praying for you and all that you’ll experience in the year ahead. I pray that you and your family will be kept safe and well, and that you’ll know God’s deep love for each of you.

I pray that God gives you all good health and financial stability, and I pray that even in difficult times, you will find God helps you and is always with you. He promises never to leave us, which I find comforting when I’m worried or facing a challenge.

3. Why you love Christmas & how you’re celebrating this year

Christmas is such a special time of year for Christians when we reflect on the miraculous birth of our Saviour. Jesus is both the message and the promise that ‘God is with us’. The Apostle John writes in chapter 1 of his gospel: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

Share this wonderful message of love, which the Christmas story is all about. Tell them what customs you enjoy when celebrating Christmas. You can also ask them how they like to mark the occasion.

For example: I love Christmas because it reminds me that Jesus came to be with us and show us God’s amazing love! At Christmas, we go to church as a family and hear about the Christmas story. I love hearing Christmas carols, which are special songs we only sing at this time of year. My favourite part of the Christmas story is when the angels appear to the Shepherds. I always try to imagine how I would have reacted; I’m not surprised they were terrified at first! We eat special food as a family, usually turkey, and a cake made with raisins. We give each other gifts, but really the most special part is sharing the day with other people.

4. A Christmas selfie! 

Christmas is a great opportunity to send an updated family photo to the child you sponsor.

Perhaps you haven’t sent a photo of yourself before, or maybe your family has grown since the last one you sent. Send a fun snap of your household, which the child you sponsor will be delighted to receive.

For example: We hope that you like our family Christmas photo. We are excited to have you in the picture with us this year! We pray God will bless you and your family.

5. A favourite Christmas Bible verse

Remind your sponsored child of the good news of Christmas by adding one of these beautiful Christmas Bible verses to your message.

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Luke 2:12 “This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Your Christmas greeting is a beautiful opportunity to encourage your sponsored child they are loved, especially during this season.

Writing a Christmas greeting for the First Time

Your words will bring hope, support and the encouragement your sponsored child needs to believe in themselves and feel valued, despite their circumstances.

With that said, living in the digital age means we can feel a bit out of practice when it comes to writing letters or cards, and it can be easy to forgo writing altogether.

If you’ve never sent a Christmas greeting or are unsure about what to say, we’ve created three templates. Choose one if you'd rather not worry about coming up with your own words.

Simply copy and paste the text into one of our Christmas Greeting designs (these can be found in your myCompassion account or on the Compassion App).

Customise the message if you like, or simply press ‘Send’.

Send a Christmas greeting in 2 Minutes - Templates to Copy

Template 1

Sending you and your family lots of love this Christmas season. I pray that you and your family will be kept safe and well in the year ahead. God bless you.

Template 2

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas. I am thinking of you and sending love as you celebrate together. God bless.

Template 3

Happy Christmas! May you and your family know God’s love surrounding you as you celebrate. I continue to pray for you to keep safe and well. With love.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 

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The Impact of your Christmas Message

A village in Ecuador enjoys spectacular views of snow-topped mountains, surrounded by active volcanoes and fertile land. Despite such beauty, poverty still makes life difficult for many families—but the local church is partnering with Compassion to reach vulnerable children in need and ensure each one feels known and loved.

Ask any child what they enjoy most about being part of a Compassion project, and Ecuador Project Director Armando says you’ll hear the same answer: receiving messages of encouragement from their sponsors, and Christmas is a time when children especially treasure being sent a greeting.

Lizbeth (7yrs) loves receiving letters so much that she learns them by heart. “Every time I get a letter from my sponsor, I go to the mountain where I have my animals, and I sit on the grass and read them many times to memorise everything my sponsor tells me.”

It can be hard for children to believe that someone from the other side of the world cares about them. Letters help them understand. Armando says, “The letters are a great blessing in the children’s lives—they motivate them, encourage them, and most importantly, they make the children feel loved.”

At Compassion, we want to reflect God’s love for each child made in His image. This Christmas, we want every child to know that God is with them through any challenge they may face. Help us share this message of love with the child you sponsor by sending a short greeting.

It won’t take long, but it will mean more than you know.

Thank you for giving encouragement

Your message will remind your sponsored child that they are loved and cared for—and the cards often become treasured possessions, kept for many years.

Give the gift of encouragement

_{A version of this blog was originally published by our friends at Compassion Australia}

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