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The front of Del. Ward Armstrong's Christmas card -- or an album cover by a Celtic rock band?

If so, well, we’d love to see it.

First, let’s consider the front, which proclaims “Invictus Maneo.” Is this a Christmas card or an album cover by Enter the Haggis, or some other Celtic rock band?

We flip inside to find . . . a photo of the Armstrong family in tartans, including the delegate himself in a kilt. Yes, a kilt!

There’s also a fairly lengthy explanation, in chatty holiday newspaper fashion. In case the reproduction doesn’t turn out well, we’ll transcribe it below.

Then, on the back, there are lots of photos of the Armstrong clan — and we do mean clan, apparently. Most are family photos — weddings, birthday parties, sorority formals and such. There are, though, two political pics. One shows Armstrong with former Majority Leader and (at the time) state Democratic Party chairman “Dickie” Cranwell. Another shows Armstrong and his wife at Gov. Bob McDonnell’s inauguration (yes, the Democrat Armstrong references a Republican in his card.) Our favorite shot though is one of the snoozing legislator and some kittens, described as “Ward asleep with 3 baby ‘puddies’ we found in Grundy, VA.’

And now, here’s the newsletter part, which we have read aloud to the amusement of colleagues several times already:

The inside of Armstrong's Christmas card contains an explanation and newsletter.

The Armstrong family in full regalia.

The back of Armstrong's Christmas card.

“Legend has it that centuries ago the King of Scotland and his army were in a fierce battle. During the fight the King’s horse was killed beneath him. The horse fell, pinning the King. The King’s standard bearer, a squire by the name of Fairbairn, rode over to where the King lay. With one farm Fairbairn reached down and pulled the King, who was dressed in full battle armour, onto his own horse and carried him to safety.

“To reward Fairbairn for his act of heroism, the King knighted Fairbairn and gave him the title “Sir Strong Arm,” which was later Anglicized to “Armstrong.” In addition, Fairbairn and his clan were granted lands along the border with England, where they fought with the British Crown for 800 years. In fact, over the years, the Armstrong clan is reputed to have been a bit on the rough side . . . thievery, cattle rustling, general pillaging and the like. (So we suppose it was only natural that Ward went into the family business of politics.)

“Ward and Pam have both discovered Ancestry.com on the internet this year and each has been researching their respective family trees. So in an effort to get in touch with his Scottish roots Ward decided to buy a kilt this year. Understand that this is just the latest installment of a series of over-the-top shenanigans in which Ward has engaged over the years.

“This year’s Christmas picture was taken on the front steps of Stoneleigh, the former home of the late governor Thomas B. Stanley. We thought the stone and classic Tudor style of the house would complement the kilts. Very medieval looking you know.

“Now, for a quick family update. Courtney is in her second year of law school at Appalachian. Whitney is in her second year as an undergraduate at UVA. Pam is in her second year of being an “empty nester.” Ward is in his second year of paying for two kids in grad school/college at the same time. All in all life at our house is good. And we hope life is good at your house this season as well.

“On the cover: the Armstrong family crest emblazoned over the Armstrong tartan. On the crest is the Latin phrase “Invictus maneo” which means “I remain undefeated.” (Good stuff in an election year!)

We also have Christmas cards from Gov. Bob McDonnell, Rep. Bob Goodlatte and state Sen. John Edwards.