Love and 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, 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.
Merry Christmas and lots of love to you and yours!

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Comments

  1. Love that post. Did you put that love doesn't envy the coordiated china and table linens thing in just for me? I do find myself coveting the gorgeotude of that. But I love you too much to hate you for it.:) You are amazing.

  2. Love the photo of you baking and the one of you with the family. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

  3. A most beautiful post! You have it all in perspective my blog friend. Thanks for sharing this with us. I hope the New Year brings many wonderful blessings to you and your precious family.

  4. I posted this same thing! Love all your pictures! I only put a few, but you make me want to go back to add more!

    Love it! Have a very merry Christmas!

  5. Sweet Posts! Enjoy your family and your Christmas Beth. When you give to what's most important first, God has a way of blessing you with the desires of your heart.

    Love
    Vanessa

  6. Amen, sistah! Great post, Beth. Merry Christmas my new friend. So glad we met this year.

  7. So true and such a beautiful reminder of where our focus should be everyday, not just at Christmas time.

  8. Merry Christmas Beth! Loved the great Christmas photos and it was such a heartwarming post!

  9. God's richest blessings to you and yours!! Really enjoyed this post with a big silly grin. It's always nice to find someone like minded!

  10. Merry Christmas, Beth! This is a great post that really hits the nail on the head. I love all your pictures {especially the drama queen one}! Your boys are adorable and I hope you, hubby and your cuties have a wonderful Christmas. {I love your top with the crown on the back, btw!}

    Oh, and wish me luck ~ the Buckeyes are up next on my preparation schedule! ; )

  11. Merry Christmas to you and your family. God bless you all immeasurably.

    From, Amy, a child of the King, whom this is all about.