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30th November 2024
SaturdayReflection
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'Sharon Jaynes'
'encouraging women through ministry'
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"1 Corinthians 13 Christmas
Style"
Today's Truth
Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.
.....1 Corinthians 13:13
GNT
With Christmas just around the corner, it is easy to get so busy with the cooking, decorating and shopping that we forget why we're doing all this in the first place.
Sometimes, the very people we love get lost in the hustle and bustle of packed schedules, holiday parties, and Christmas musicals.
This Christmas, let's keep our focus on Jesus and not forget to invite the honoured guest to His own birthday celebration.
Today, I want to share a poem that I wrote a few years ago that helps me keep a proper perspective on Christmas.
1 Corinthians 13 Christmas Style
©2023 By Sharon Jaynes
If I decorate my house perfectly with lovely plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights, and shiny glass 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 home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of your 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.
Let's Pray
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus,
that starry night in Bethlehem.
Like the Shepherds,
I am still amazed at Your great love.
May I not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, but celebrate Jesus' birthday with joy!
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
><(((°>
This is an edited version.
The full article and Bible references are avaiable on request
'Sharon Jaynes'
has been encouraging women through ministry for over twenty-five years.
From the time she met Christ as a teenager, she fell in love with God's Word and has had a passion to equip women to live fully and free (John 8:32; John 10:10).
Her mission is to help women have a better story with Jesus as the hero.
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