Friday, December 19, 2008

1 CORRINTHIANS 13 (Christmas Version)

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

  • Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
  • Love sets aside decorating to kiss the husband.
  • Love is kind, though harried and tired.
  • Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
  • Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
  • Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
  • Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
  • Love never fails.
  • Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust.
  • But giving the gift of love will endure.

Merry Christmas!

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