So Let me be the first [hopefully] to wish you a Happy, wonderful Christmas and an Awesome year 2014! It’s never too early…

Just when I think I won’t be bitten by the ‘Christmas bug’, I get bitten and not just bitten; infected! So while ‘it’ is still contagious, a remix of a popular excerpt has surfaced and some commandments as well. So get infected!!

I Corinthians 13, Christmas Version
If I give gifts to family, friends and well-wishers to celebrate this season and ignore/do not show love to the celebrant (Birthday Boy), the reason for this season, I am absolutely robbing the day of its spiritual reality.

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands 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 my neighbours, 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 a beggar on the street/ a stranger, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend myriad 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 lend a helping hand.

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, pearls, necklaces, dresses, shoes, candies will be lost/perished and golf clubs will rust.

But giving the gift of love will endure.

_Author Unknown_

The Commandments for Christmas

The following contains some good advice that will help us keep selfishness in check this Christmas and forever:

• Thou shalt not leave “Christ” out of Christmas, making it “Xmas.” To most minds, “X” stands not for Christ but for the Algebraic unknown.

• Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts that thy soul is forgotten. Verily most of us spend much time and money getting gifts ready but a few seconds in preparing our souls.

• Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ. Lest Christmas becomes a fairy tale rather than a sublime reality in the spiritual realm.  

• Thou shall not burden thy servant. The shop girl, the mail carrier, an the merchant shall have thy consideration.
• Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift. This will increase its value a hundred fold, and he who receiveth it shall treasure it forever. 

• Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.

• Thou shalt not neglect the needy. Share thy blessings with many who will go hungry and cold unless thou art generous.

• Thou shalt not neglect thy gathering of the brethren. Its services highlight the true meaning of the season.

• Thou shalt be as a little child. Not until thou has become in spirit as a little one art thou ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

• Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of thy Christmas list.

_Author Unknown_