Some
thoughts as you prepare for Christmas !
1 Corinthians 13 – A
Christmas Version.
If I decorate my house perfectly with fancy bows, strands of
twinkling lights and shiny ornaments, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.
If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of mince pies,
preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautiful adorned table at mealtime,
but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.
If
I work in the soup kitchen, sing carols in the nursing home and give all that I
have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to spend time with family. 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 giving the gift of love will endure.
Christmas
Day Auction
Remember
that a gift should be treasured; not only the ones that are wrapped but ones
that are bestowed upon you.
Years ago, there was a very wealthy man
who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together,
they travelled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their
collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned
the walls of the family estate.
The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an
experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused
his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the
world.
One year, as winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left
to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a
telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously
awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within days, his
fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to
a medic.
Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with
anguish and sadness. The joy of the season that he and his son had looked
forward to would visit his house no longer.
On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he
walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that
his son was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier
with a large package in his hands.
He introduced himself to the old man by saying, "I was a friend of your
son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few
moments? I have something to show you."
As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man's son had told
everyone of his, not to mention his father's, love of fine art. "I am no
artist," said the soldier, "but I want to give you this."
As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait
of the man's son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a
genius, the painting featured the young man's face in striking detail.
Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the
picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed,
the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went above the
fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars worth of art. His task completed,
the old man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been
given.
During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that, even though is
son was no longer with him, the boy would live on because of those he had
touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded
soldiers before a bullet stifled his caring heart.
As the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride
and satisfaction began to ease his grief. The painting of his son soon became
his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which
museums around the world clamoured. He told his neighbours it was the greatest
gift he had ever received.
The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was
in anticipation that the collector's passing and his only son dead, those
paintings would be sold at auction. According to the will of the old man, all
art works would be auctioned on Christmas Day, the day he had received the
greatest gift.
The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid
on some of the world's most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled
this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim, "I have the
greatest collection."
The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum's list. It was the
painting of the man's son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid, but the
room was silent. "Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked.
Minutes passed, and no one spoke. From the back of the room came a voice,
"Who cares about that painting? It's just a picture of his son."
"Let's forget about it and move on to the good stuff," more voices
echoed in agreement.
"No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer.
"Now, who will take the son?" Finally, a neighbour of the old man
spoke. "Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That's all I have. I knew
the boy; so I would like to have it.
"I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" asked the auctioneer.
After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice,
gone." The gavel fell.
Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with it
and we can bid on the real treasures!" The auctioneer looked at the
audience and announced that the auction was over.
Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, "What do
you mean, it's over? We didn't come here for a picture of some old guy's son.
What about all these paintings? There are millions of dollars worth of art
here! I demand that you explain what is going on!"
The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. According to the will of the
father, whoever takes the son...gets it all."
Puts things into
perspective, doesn't it? Just as those art collectors discovered on Christmas
Day, the message is still the same: the love of a father, whose greatest joy
came from his son who went away and gave his life rescuing others; and because
of that father's love, whoever takes the Son gets it all.
In life, many things will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart.
Author Unknown
Remembering our loved ones.
Jealous of the Angels
I didn't know today
would be our last
Or that I'd have to say goodbye to you so fast
I'm so numb, I can't feel anymore
Prayin' you'd just walk back through that door
And tell me that I
was only dreamin'
You're not really gone as long as I believe
There will be
another angel
Around the throne tonight
Your love lives on inside of me
And I will hold on tight
It's not my place to question
Only God knows why
I'm just jealous of the angels
Around the throne tonight
You always made my
troubles feel so small
And you were always there to catch me when I'd fall
In a world where heroes come and go
Well God just took the only one I know
So I'll hold you as close as I can
Longing for the day, when I see your face again
But until then
God must need
another angel
Around the throne tonight
Your love lives on inside of me
And I will hold on tight
It's not my place to question
Only God knows why
I'm just jealous of the angels
Around the throne tonight
Singin' hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
I'm just jealous of the angels
Around the throne tonight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IccwWEFrcjQ&list=RDIccwWEFrcjQ&start_radio=1&ab_channel=karlloxley
