A Christmas thought

17 years ago

I received this in an email and thought it was a good one to share. Hope you enjoy it too. Luvs

A Christmas Version of 1st 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 share the true meaning of Christmas, 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 demonstrate kindness to strangers, it profits me nothing. If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir 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, and 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. "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

Author Unknown

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Comments (15)

donnawb
17 years ago
Yes, it is very fitting with everyone rushing around. I at times stop and have to remember to enjoy the season instead of being in a whirlwind trying to get every thing PERFECT. Thanks for sharing that.
jaybird
17 years ago
Thank you, that was Luv-ly ;^)
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Bright199
17 years ago
Wonderful and sooo true! Thank you for posting. I have saved it for future use.
bonniee818
17 years ago
So perfectly said! Thanks for reminding us all. :)
Bonnie
minnie_tx
17 years ago
Yes, just beautiful
kathleen_li
17 years ago
So true! Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves??

That is a beautiful article...Thanks..
lynnencfan
17 years ago
very very nice - I have saved it also - thanks Luvs .....

Lynne
justlinda
17 years ago
Great big, beautiful, THANKS.
plainjane425
17 years ago
Thank you for this..I too am saving it.
One year, things got so out of hand with me. I wanted everything just so, and did too much. I made everyone miserable, including myself. I felt awful afterwards. I actually wrote a New Year's Resolution, on a piece of paper, for the following Christmas... I primised to Take Everything In Stride..do Only what was FUN for All, and NOT to put Anxiety on Myself or Others..and Most Important..To Remember The True Meaning Of Christmas'. I packed this resolution away with my Christmas Decorations as a Reminder, for the next year. When I unpacked it...I read it out loud to my family..and they were Relieved I promised to follow it. I did half of what I usually did, had more time to do (fun things) and felt what I didn't do was not important anyway. I think it was the first relaxed Christmas I had ever!! Now, have I continued to keep that promise?? hmmm .. well, not always!! lol
jane
flattie_2008
17 years ago
Great reminder Luvs! It's important to take the time to enjoy all the little joys of the season. And sometimes the most fondly remembered Christmases are the ones where the "perfect" meal or decor ideas went awry. ;)
blizlady
17 years ago
Thank you for sharing that! It is so true. Like Jane, I sometimes get so stressed wanting everything to be perfect that I forget to just enjoy the love and happiness of the season! I promised myself not to get uptight if I can't finish baking cookies, or decorating the house as much as I normally do. Here it is, the weekend before Christmas and all that is up is our tree - no village, no nutcrackers (I have dozens that I place on the mantel and around the family room), no decorated banister, etc. But I am having the whole family over on Christmas Day and I am focusing on that. And rather than doing everything myself, maybe the grand kids would love to help put up the village when they visit! It is a Dept. 56 Snow Village so I never mind keeping it up until the end of January or into February. We live in Wisconsin, and I believe we are in for a really snowy winter!
plainjane425
17 years ago
That's a wonderful idea blizlady. I think your gkids will love doing that, and think of the fond memories they will have from doing it too! That's great that you can keep up your village for after Christmas b/c it's the Snow one. Good for you..no pressure in taking it down!! lol
jane
kathleen_li
17 years ago
Good for you, Bliz..
Jane, you are responsible for one more thing I did..
I had been given a lovely Dept 56 Christmas Eve Church a few years ago...but when I saw you dh's great village, I dove in...nothing as elaborate as his, but another job..LOL..
Next year will be different...I hope, simplify...
Purplemoon
17 years ago
Luvs, that is a definitely a "keeper". Thank you for sharing with us.

hugs, Karen
minnie_tx
17 years ago
Thanks Luvs I posted it over on couple of AOL forums and there was a gret response for it. It i beautiful