This is another borrowed post, which I received from a friend, Fr. Nicanor Lalog. He received this one from a friend he met in Toronto two years ago. I just thought this is worth sharing.

First Corinthians 13 — Christmas version

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows,
strings of twinkling
lights, and shiny balls, but do not show love to my
family and others,
I am 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 and
others,
I am just another
cook.

If I work at a
soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all 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 crystal 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,
or kiss the husband or bless the needy.

Love is kind, though harried or tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has
coordinated Christmas
china
and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids or other family to
get out of the way,
but is thankful that they are there to get 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 and endures all
things.

LOVE NEVER FAILS.