The Advent Calendar - Pt. 16

 

[Jesus said] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:16-18 ESV).

 

Sometimes I am much too preoccupied with the theology of Christmas and I forget the simplicity of the message of God’s unfathomable love. Even with the pandemic of this year, Christmas is a busy time for all of us. Because of that, we can forget why we’re doing all this in the first place. Sometimes, the very people we love get lost in the “busy” of packed schedules and events. Recently I came across a wonderful a Christmas paraphrase of the Apostle Paul’s explanation of true love (cf. 1 Corinthians 13). It is written 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.

 

I must confess it spoke to me deeply. Oh, I really don’t get busy doing all of the same things as the author, but I find myself scurrying about making sure that all the promised projects are completed, all the gifts are purchased, all the arrangements are made for family traveling home, and all the responsibilities of ministry taken care of. I know I need to stop and remember His great love. Perhaps you do too.