I Corinthians 13 – A Christmas Version

Love never fails ~ I Corinthians 13:8 

Several weeks ago, I was looking through some Christmas reading selections, and I stumbled across this one called I Corinthians 13 – A Christmas Version, from ‘an ordinary Christian woman’ named Barbara. Like her, I felt a few twinges of guilt here and there while reading, and I knew I had found my Divine Design project for December. Make sure to check out other samples this month from Angel, Jami, Nancy and Taylor. Leave them some love if you are inclined. I’ve babbled a little bit on the previous post about the challenge and what these gals mean to me. 🙂

This month, I made a hanging ornament that will be displayed in my kitchen this month. I’m praying the reminder will keep me focused on Christ this Christmas.

The full text and supplies are printed at the bottom of this post. I kept the details of the project to a minimum, because truthfully, I could not put hours and hours into this project and then tell you that I was really keeping the commitment, now could I?

I’m not suggesting that I am throwing out all of our time-honored Christmas traditions and festivities, but I want this to be a Christmas filled with love and laughter, not stress and headaches. I don’t want my girls to grow up remembering that I was so stressed out about classroom parties or hectic shopping or unreasonable (self-imposed) expectations of platter after platter of pretty cookies (THAT WE END UP THROWING AWAY!).  And, I don’t want to snap at my husband all month long and then put a smile on my face on the way out the door to a joyful Christmas get-together.

I’m letting go of some my favorite, time-consuming cookie recipes in favor of boxed brownies and quality time with the girls. You’ll see tomorrow, that I’ve let go of has-to-be-perfect packaging. I’ve decided on more store-bought gifts with a quick tag accents and thoughtful notes. I’m having the girls wrap things for me. We have limited the social engagements that require fancy-schmancy finger foods or gift exchanges.  In cases where I do need to take a finger food, I’ve purchased some different types of cheeses, and I’ll be putting those on a simple Christmas platter. It will be about the joy of getting together, not the grueling party prep. My brother’s family and Wes & I have agreed to not exchange gifts, and we are contributing what we would have spent on each other to a woman’s shelter in his community. It’s not too late for you to re-group and re-organize!

I’m sure KNOW I’ll need the reminder daily until December 25th, but so long as I can remember to make it about showing love, I won’t fail. His Word is truth: Love never fails.

Here is the reading:

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights 

and shiny balls, but do not show love, 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, 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, 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.

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. 

• Stamps: JustRite Stampers (top tag), Beautiful (Cornish Heritage Farms)
• Cardstock: Smooth Vanilla, Suede Light & Dark Brown & Razzleberry Dark (Prism)
• Ink: Rhubarb Stalk (Tsukineko)
• Accs: Dew Drops, fern punch (Martha Stewart), chipboard (Maya Road), ribbon (Stampin’ Up!), displayed on a pine cone tree from Target (purchased several years ago)