12.25.2011

Corinthians' Christmas


A friend of my mom's gave this to us years ago. It's really quite special (and brief); so, 
I thought I'd pass it along! Whether you're religious or not, I don't know. 
But I assume if you're celebrating 'Christ'mas you won't be offended at my posting this!


If I decorate my home perfectly with bows, twinkling lights, and shiny balls, 
but do not shine love to my neighbors, 
am I not just another decorator?
If I slave away in the kitchen, bake dozens of cookies, prepare tasty meals, 
and arrange a beautifully adorned table, 
but do not show love to my family by spending time with them, 
am I not just another cook?
If I trim the tree with shimmering angels and hand-crocheted snowflakes, 
attend a myriad of parties, and sing carols for hours, 
but do not focus on Jesus' birth, 
 have I not wholly missed the point?
And even 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 enemies, 
can I truly say I am loving?

LOVE...stops the cooking to hug the children.
LOVE...sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
LOVE...is kind, though weary at times.
LOVE...doesn't envy another's coordinated china and table linens.
LOVE...doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, 
but is thankful they are present to be in the way.
LOVE...doesn't delight in receiving just the right gifts, 
but rejoices in giving to those who can never repay.
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 ENDURES!
You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving!
   
MERRY  CHRISTMAS  TO  AL

4 comments:

  1. This is beautiful!! Thank you so much for sharing it! (I'm going to steal it so I can keep it for next year.)

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  2. @Becca - So glad you enjoyed it!

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  3. This is brilliant. Definitely something to pull out from time to time as a helpful reminder!

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  4. It is pretty universal, huh...even to all times of year, and any holiday!

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