1 Corinthians 13, the 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, friends and neighbours, 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, etc., 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, etc., 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 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 forever.
Christmas is love. May you have love on Christmas and always.
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although it's been said many times, many ways .. Merry Christmas .. to you.
Amen to that, MJ
May you be the love for your family, and they for you.
Thank you, Marion. I am surrounded by people who love me and me them. Merry Christmas to you! MJ
♪There is no place like home for the holidays♫
Yes indeedy-do. Merry Christmas, Georgette. I’ll bet you’re anxious for all your company to get there!
MJ
Thanks for not keeping that to yourself….it’s perfect.
Wishing you joy, peace and love from a tad further north of ya:)
Getting covered in snow up here…Ummmm…wahoooo!!!!
~d.
I love it; so beautiful.
We had snow last night, too!! I was sitting in my chair, nursing a hot toddie for I’m fighting a rotten cold, when I noticed a certain glow outside. I ran downstairs to youngest boy and hollered, “C’mere!” The two of us stepped outside into that magical Christmas snow and giggled
.
Merry Christmas, D!
MJ
thank you for sharing this, it’s worthy of repeating throughout the year. Merry Christmas!
R
I agree! Merry everything to you & yours, Rich.
MJ
I have so enjoyed getting ready for the holidays with you, MJ. What fun! Here’s to a wonderful night tonight, and a day full of family fun tomorrow.
In other news, I want to share … Rob and I danced to John Denver’s “For You”. We consider that our song.
Merry Christmas, MJ!
Me, too LD
. Yes here’s to a happy night tonight and all the joy a heart can hold tomorrow 
.
Love that song … sweetness.
Cheers! MJ
thank you for the beautiful Christmas reminder
Merry Christmas
susie @sptp
Thank you; best wishes to you and yours for a Christmas bright with Holiday cheer. MJ
Merry Christmas, MJ.
Thank you, LeRoy Dean. Thank you for all you to to bring light .. I appreciate you. MJ
Merry Christmas MJ. I promise to stop being crabby right now.
Right on!!
Thanks Elyse. Merry Christmas back to you ! MJ
Brought tears to my eyes, MJ. Thanks. You are absolutely, positively right. This post was the best possible way for me to start Christmas Eve. I’m posting it to my FB page.
Really, thank you.
Yay
I keep hearing little Michael Jackson sing (about 11 years old) “Why don’t you give love on Christmas Day?” Heartfelt wishes for moments of tender peace and heartfelt joy this Holiday. MJ
Beautifully put. Merry Christmas to you.
Thank you; had to be shared … MJ
Very nice! Merry Christmas my friend!
Thank you, Leah. My heartfelt wishes to you for joyous Hanukkah Season & Christmas, too! MJ
This is a “print for the scrapbook”!!! And, if you know me, that’s the highest of praise
Thanks so much for sharing this!!!
Awesome! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed it. Merry Christmas, Adrienne,
MJ
This is love-ly. Thank you!
‘welcome.
MJ
“Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.” This one hit home: within the past month: a family in our community lost a toddler when the mother accidentally hit her in the driveway with the car (CANNOT imagine what that family is going through), a 17 year old drowned last week when the canoe he was in capsized and he couldn’t swim to shore, and a 20 year old was killed Wednesday when someone t-boned him in a car accident.
I absolutely cannot fathom how those parents are coping with these tragedies. All we can do is pray for them to be comforted.
Sorry, didn’t mean to be so somber; these events have just been on my mind today. Thanks for your post. As always, it’s special.
I understand; and having such said events makes this sentiment hit home even harder.
MJ
Corinthians 13 is my favourite chapter from Holy Bible, but this text is lovely. Thanks for sharing and I wish you have a wonderful Christmas!
Thank you and same to you! MJ
Beautiful and Thoughtful…
I love it. Had to re-read it again, even today … 12/27
MJ
That is simply wonderful. Love it.
Me, too. MJ