"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, even when 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."
May the joy of Advent bring God’s love into your life in a special way this Christmas!
<3
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, written with so much meaning.
ReplyDeleteWonderful, wonderful post...............
ReplyDeleteThat is such a good reminder, ought to be printed out and framed and placed in the kitchen...wait, I can do that. Going to borrow your tweak on the Bible verses and make it. Hope you don't mind. I just got done making 20 dozen cookies and am a bit frazzled. Smile.
ReplyDeleteNow there's the verse for the inside of a Christmas letter! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this version! Just the message I needed today.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!