As the days draw closer to Christmas and each square of the family calendar is filled, the urgent constantly seems to compete with the important. And if I’m not careful, I usually tend to let the urgent win. But I so don’t want it to be that way. Do you?
Many years ago I came across this Christmas version of 1 Corinthians 13 and knew I had been gifted a treasure. I don’t know its human source, but it’s easy to see that it was inspired by the Lord. May you and I determine to lovingly answer to the important over bowing to the urgent each time the important calls. I have a strong feeling that when we come to the end of our lives, it won’t matter how many Pinterest ways we wrapped our gifts or decorated our homes, festively creative as they may be. What will matter is how well we loved. Lets not miss the soaking-in and the pouring-out of God’s love this Christmas season.
LOVE – that’s Keeping Christ AS Christmas!
1 CORINTHIANS 13 ~ A CHRISTMAS VERSION ~
author unknown
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling
lights and shiny balls, but do not show love,
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 mealtime,
but do not show love,
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,
it profits me nothing.
f 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,
and 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.
E-book Keeping Christ AS Christmas: Preparing hearts, households, and homes for PEACE this Christmas season. Click here for more details, and “like”the Keeping Christ AS Christmas facebook page to share YOUR ideas on keeping Jesus as the Center of the Christmas season.
