Friday, December 24, 2010

CHRIST-mas - A Paraphrase of I Corinthins 13


A paraphrase of I Corinthians 13

Author Unknown

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 spouse.

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.

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 CHRIST-mas

post signature

9 comments:

Just Mom said...

Love this! Merry Christmas to you and your family. :-D

Sunny said...

Amen! ..... and I have some "brushing up" to do as well. Good thing God is patient with us! :)

Merry Christmas to you and Mickey!

Unknown said...

That's wonderful. I always need reminders to keep priorities straight. Love you Susan.

Mary said...

Oh, what a wonderful reminded. I love this.

Barbara said...

Yes so true. The world's view of Christmas just doe not last and does not satisfy.

Blessings for the New Year Susan.

Kathy said...

Ah! So creatively written, and so true. Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year, Susan. Looking forward to this next year with you. : )

Susan Skitt said...

Truly lovely - haven't read that before but I love it! Thank you for sharing it with us! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas :)

BTW - I'm having a children's Bible book giveaway from Tommy Nelson on my blog and will select one winner on Jan. 4th. Would love it if you would share it with your readers.

Have a blessed New Year!

Mountain Mama said...

I love this. I copied it and sent it to a lot of my contacts.
I hope your Christmas was wonderdul and pray you and yours will have a blessed New Year too.

Lori said...

Great post. Great reminders. I have always loved that 1 Corhinthians verse.