How to Write a Great Christmas Greeting to the Child You Sponsor

Your Christmas greeting will be treasured and read many 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.

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 us all. 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 the child you sponsor's life, they’re equally curious about yours! The children enrolled on the Compassion programme have an eager interest in their sponsors, and love hearing 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: I’m grateful for Christian friends who are fun to be with and who support me, whether it’s through prayer or practical help. When I was ill earlier this year, my church friends phoned to check in and offered to bring me some shopping. I felt very loved and cared for.
   

2. How you’re praying for them and their family

   For many of the children and families we serve, the cost of living and ongoing food insecurity have hit hard. You can encourage the child you sponsor that you’re praying specifically for him or her during times of uncertainty.

   You could write specific prayers for the child you sponsor’s health and safety.

   For example: I’m praying for you and all that lies ahead this year. I pray that you and your family stay safe and well, and that you know how deeply God loves each of you. 

   I’m asking God to bless you with good health and financial stability, and to be especially close in any difficult moments. God promises never to leave us. I find that so comforting whenever I’m feeling worried or I'm facing a challenge. 

3. Why you love Christmas and 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 the child you sponsor 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. As a family, we go to church and hear the Christmas story, which always feels special. I love singing carols—those beautiful songs we only hear at this time of year. 

   My favourite part of the Christmas story is when the angels appear to the shepherds. I often imagine how I’d have reacted; I’m not surprised they were terrified at first! 

   We celebrate with special food—usually turkey and a cake full of raisins—and we give each other gifts. But the best part is sharing the day with people I love. 

4. Add 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. They'll be delighted to receive a fun snap of your household.

   For example: We hope you like our family Christmas photo. We love the picture we have of you; it’s such a joy to see you! We pray for you and your family, and ask God to bless you all with peace, joy, and good health this Christmas and in the year ahead.

5. Include a favourite Christmas Bible verse

   Remind the child you sponsor 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 remind the child you sponsor that they're loved and known by our Loving God, especially during this season.

Writing a Christmas Greeting for the First Time

Compassion children in Brazil are joyful to receive Christmas cards from their sponsors.

Your words will bring hope, support, and the encouragement the child you sponsor needs to believe in themselves and feel valued, whatever their circumstances.

That said, with so much of life happening online these days, it’s easy to feel a bit out of practice when it comes to writing letters or cards, and sometimes it’s tempting to not write at all.

If you’ve never sent a Christmas greeting before or aren’t sure what to say, we’ve put together three simple templates. Feel free to use one if you’d rather not worry about finding the right 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).

Alter the message if you'd like or simply press ‘Send’.

Send a Christmas Greeting in 2 Minutes – Templates to Copy

• Template 1

  Happy Christmas! I hope you have a joyful time celebrating Jesus’ birth. I’m praying that you and your family stay safe, well, and full of peace and hope in the year ahead. God bless you!

• Template 2

  Wishing you a happy and blessed Christmas! May you know how deeply God loves you, and may his joy fill your heart this season. I’m praying that you and your family enjoy celebrating together. God bless you. 

• 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 

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.

Lizbeth smiling with a notebook and pencil in her hand

Thank you for giving encouragement

Your message will remind the child you sponsor that they're loved and cared for. The cards you send often become treasured possessions, kept for many years.

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