23 December 2017

For Your Consideration on the Saturday Before Christmas Day

I used to work with a woman who had this posted on her wall.  And though I am not an overly religious person, and in some ways it's corny, I think it has some good reminders for all of us, especially at Christmastime, so I decided to share it with you today.  I hope you are enjoying the season.


1 Corinthians 13 for Christmas

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 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.
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.

9 comments:

Elizabeth said...

this is lovely. thank you for sharing and for the reminder to be kind to all...

Vera said...

LOVE this! Thanks for sharing.

Tired Teacher said...

Merry Christmas!

Mereknits said...

I like it. I think it is something we all need to hear. Can we change the sentence about the kids? They do get in the way sometimes! Merry Christmas Bridget.

KSD said...

Reminds me of a discussion I once had with my mother. She fussed and obsessed about everything every day being perfect, never taking much time to laugh or just rest. I once asked her if she really wanted her tombstone to say, "She kept a clean house." She said, "I can think of worse things."

Judy S. said...

Great reminders! Merry Christmas, Bridget!

Araignee said...

Oh, wow....that is pretty powerful-and so true. I'm going to go kiss somebody right now.

Anonymous said...

Amen!

Bonny said...

I'm saving this with my decorations so it's one of the first things I see next year at the start of the holiday season. Thank you!