1 CORRINTHIANS 13 ~ CHRISTMAS VERSION

[Guest guest]

1 CORRINTHIANS 13 ~ 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 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!

-- Author Unknown