They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love
(This is a repost from the archives)I came across this Christmas poem about I Corinthians 13 – the Love Passage. For me, the week of Christmas can be the busiest week of my entire year. And though I am trying to make it special and meaningful for the family, I often feel like a failure when my patience is short or things don’t go as I envisioned. This poem reminds me of what really matters and what really lasts…Love.
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 angelsand 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.
—Sharon Jaynes, Celebrating a Christ Centered Christmas
Take some time to meditate on I Corinthians 13 today. If we all would simply apply this passage of scripture – our homes would be a happier place and we would shine like bright stars in a dark world. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
Walk with the King!
Thank you for this well-timed reminder! I really needed it this morning as I too have felt the rush and business this holiday season.
May the gift of everlasting life with our Lord shine upon you and your family this Christmas. Blessings,
Melissa
Courtney – thank you for sharing this today. It is so very true and something we could all stand to read daily. Thanks for all you do, for all the encouragement and inspiration! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God bless you and yours in 2011!
My principal read this at our staff Christmas party the other day. Recently 4 kids at my school lost their mother and our school is in mourning for them and their 2 younger siblings. This poem is just another reminder of how precious life is and how LOVE makes all the difference.
Wise words as ever, Courtney. Merry Christmas!
Cxx
I am new to your blog. I have seen some of your video's but have never commented. Enjoyed my stay! I will comeback again!
Thought I would just wish you a Blessed CHRISTmas!
Blessings from my farm to your HOME!
Linda
Prairie Flower Farm
This really ministered to my heart this morning. Thank you. I've been learning (as God faithfully refines me,) that He made me to tell the world about Salvation through His Son… but as I desire to be His messenger I am challenged by this chapter. I don't want to be a clanging cymbal in my home of neighborhood or greater community because I lack loving-kindness.
That poem was beautiful and just another reminder that it is all about LOVE. I desire to show God's love to everyone, everywhere.
Thanks for this post. Merry Christmas!
Thank you Courtney. It is about love. It’s all about love. He made the whole universe, just to tuck a little blue dot, in an out of the way corner, protected from the ravages of space, and on it placed children, and protected them from the ravages of hell, by being born on the blue dot, and taking all of the ravages to himself. No greater love has a person than to lay down their life… Merry “loving” Christmas to you and yours.
Thank you for sharing these thoughts. The I Cor. 13 adaption was so good, and I also appreciated your words in the beginning, and identified with your thoughts. Have a wonderful Christmas!
So true and so timely. Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem.
Wishing you a merry Christmas and wonderful new year.
Erin
itsgrace.com
Very wise words indeed. Wishing you a merry christmas and a happy New Year!
This is very good and a great reminder….who are we doing it all for anyway?
Mama Bear
Thank you, I needed this today!
Merry Christmas!
Mary Ellen
That's a really neat way to look at things!!! I'm going to remember that!!! Happy Christmas to you and Happy New Year 🙂 🙂 Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather 😉
I love this reminder…it is soo very true. I have to be honest sometimes this is a challenge for me. And God has been showing me this very thing, especially during this season. If you do it all in the flesh it profits nothing. Showing and sharing God's love is what its all about. Thank you for the reminder!!
Blessings and {{Hugs}},
Adrienne