At the same time my own list that I had sent in probably ran at about a hundred times that amount. But in my defence I was only little! Anyway I always liked to watch the Blue Peter presenters make something very special for Christmas, sometimes from last year's Christmas cards and so I thought I would come up with an idea for this time of year that doesn't require any sticky back plastic but does require the Christmas cards that you have been sent.

The idea is very simple! Take a Christmas card that has been sent to you. Place it in front of you during a time of prayer, preferably with a lit candle but not too near the flame for safety reasons! Then give some time in prayer to that person or family. Then try it again with another Christmas card. In fact see if you can do it with as many Christmas cards as possible in this time of preparation for Christmas because to place others first in our prayer is a very powerful way of preparing for Christmas. If you have children then perhaps you could encourage them to pray for those who have sent them cards. If you get chance to do this then there will be a depth to your time preparing for Christmas which you will benefit from and so will those you pray for. Give it go and then like any good Blue Peter presenter when you next see the person who sent you the card you can say: here's one I prayed for earlier!