FIRST CORINTHIANS CHRISTMAS

FIRST CORINTHIANS 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,
ARRANGING A BEAUTIFULLY ADORNED TABLE ,
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 MYRIAD HOLIDAY PARTIES
AND SING IN THE CHOIR'S CANTATA
BUT DO NOT FOCUS ON CHRIST,
I HAVE MISSED THE POINT.
LOVE STOPS COOKING TO HUG THE CHILD.
LOVE SETS ASIDE 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 THE GIFT OF LOVE WILL ENDURE.