First Corinthians 13: Christmas Version

Christmas is my most favorite times of the year. I truly get caught up in the wonder of it all. The lights that hang on most houses and store fronts, Peppermint mochas, the smell of cookies in my oven, decorating the tree, the tradition of our family dinner and walking "Snow Flake Lane", the snow, the shopping... What's not to love?

Several years ago I came across this Christmas rendition of 1 Corinthian's popular "love chapter". I keep it tucked away with my Christmas decorations, so that I am sure to see it and hopefully heed it's reminder each year; as I, like most of us, tend to easily be swept up in the things of Christmas not in the Who of Christmas.

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 am just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen,

baking dozens of Christmas cookies,

preparing gourmet meals,

and arranging a beautiful adorned table at mealtime,

but do not show love to my family,

I am 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 crochet 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 the 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.

You can give without loving

but you cannot love without giving.

Merry Christmas!