What it's all about

I CORINTHIANS 13 - A 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 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.

Merry Christmas and lots of love to you and yours!