Christmas Reflections
This evening it was the carol service at our church and instead of having the traditional 9 Lessons, the carols were interspersed with some more...let's say contemporary readings and accounts of the Christmas story. One that really stood out for me however was a Christmas adaptation of 1 Corinthians 13. On the face of it is was an amusing script entwining the well known passage with the familiar acts that we go through at Christmas time. But the more I listened and thought about it the more I saw how it fit into my own life.
I will make no effort to hide the fact that I love Christmas...some may say it's an obsession and they may well be right but as the script so perfectly highlighted...If I went through the traditions of Christmas time, but had not Love...they would be pointless. The most important thing behind all the present buying and card sending and food making and tree decorating is Love.
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and colourful shiny globes, 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, sing carols 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 or wife.
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 X
I will make no effort to hide the fact that I love Christmas...some may say it's an obsession and they may well be right but as the script so perfectly highlighted...If I went through the traditions of Christmas time, but had not Love...they would be pointless. The most important thing behind all the present buying and card sending and food making and tree decorating is Love.
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and colourful shiny globes, 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, sing carols 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 or wife.
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 X
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