Sunday, November 28th - the First Sunday of Advent
Each day during Advent the entries from the parish Advent devotional will be placed on the blog. These devotionals were prepared by members and friends of the First UMC in Iraan and the First UMC in McCamey. The entries will continue through the Twelve Days of Christmas (Dec. 25 - Jan. 5) and finish on Epiphany Day (January 6th).
First Corinthians 13 (Christmas version)
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, stands 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 me family, I'm just another cook.
If I work at a soup kitchen, carol in a 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 spouse. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doe 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 that 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.
(Author: Sharon Jaynes - Celebrating a Christ-centered Christmas)
Wanda Carpenter, First UMC - Iraan
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