Yesterday I was so blessed to attend a Christmas brunch with several wonderful ladies from where we worship. One of the precious ladies I have come to love dearly over the last several months shared this wonderful version of I Corinthians 13 with us that slapped me hard across the face.
It has been an overly stressful week, one where I have fretted over decorations, cleaning my house and preparing for the 30 teenagers dining with us for lunch today.
It is all nothing, if I don’t have love.
Something to think about this Sunday just a week and a couple of days before Christmas.
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FIRST CORINTHIANS 13 [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,
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 a 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 does not envy another’s home
that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way,
but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return; but rejoices in giving to those who cannot.
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.
Author: Sharon Jaynes
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Fiddle Dee Dee by Jennifer Jones 
So true and right across the board…
It's really fun to know that you are settling in well and making dear friends. Love it!
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