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Second Advent



CHRISTMAS LOVE
- paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13

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.

~ author unknown
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from the kitchen of
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9 comments:

  1. JeanneDecember 8, 2013 at 4:59 AM

    Beautiful and a great reminder for us all.
    Blessings

    Jeanne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. village folk artDecember 8, 2013 at 6:48 AM

      Beautifully put ... for all year long. Thanks for the reminder.

      Peace, Joy and Blessings to all,
      Barb

      Delete
  2. ElaineDecember 8, 2013 at 7:33 AM

    Very well put, and a great reminder!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousDecember 8, 2013 at 11:07 AM

    Love is what you hear when you quit opening presents and just stop and listen!

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousDecember 8, 2013 at 11:52 AM

    Excellent. Thanks for this paraphrase in contemporary language. It does connect.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Old ParsonageDecember 8, 2013 at 12:25 PM

    So well written - love anonymous' response too!!

    Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  6. bargirl238December 8, 2013 at 5:36 PM

    Love this! So true and touching.
    Happy Holiday1

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnitaDecember 9, 2013 at 6:11 AM

    what an amazing adaptation to 1st Corinthians - thanks you for this much timely and needed reminder!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousDecember 10, 2013 at 7:21 AM

    Am laughing b/c this is such a gentle way of phrasing my own intentions for this Christmas. Being part of a wonderful but deeply scarred family I have declared for myself that this is the "no scream" Christmas. This is esp. important for me b/c I am the host of the whole show. Just the violence but truth of my own phrase cracks me up (my sense of humour may be a bit darker than your average MGCC reader). The reality that I have committed to stopping whatever cookie icing/ sleigh ride planning/ gluwhein making that I am doing, and put myself in a time out if I feel like I'm going to be mean to someone I love, fills me with a new peace about the holiday.

    ReplyDelete

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