If I design fabulous Christmas cards, with flaw-less family photos and write newsy, clever Christmas letters about my perfect life, but have not love, I’m a phony friend.
And if I have super power to remember the correct sizes and color preferences of everyone on my list; and if I have faith to find parking on Black Friday, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give my Christmas bonus to the church, and work all day Saturday greening up the church, handing out shower towels and free soup, but have not love, I gain nothing.
If I trim the tree with Waterford angels and Pottery Barn stars, attend the Bishop’s Christmas party, and sing in the community chorus, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
Love stops to comfort a whimpering child and then wipe up the broken eggs. Love climbs down the ladder to set aside her many strings of lights, to hang a wreath for an elderly neighbor next door.
Love is kind… and tired; a lot of tired.
Love does not envy the animated Disney characters, dancing to surround-sound music on the neighbor’s light-covered rooftop.
Love does not yell at the kids to get the basket-ball off the breakfast table, but is thankful for a family breakfast together.
Love seeks to encourage, support and intentionally help.
Love rejoices in giving to those who cannot.
Love does not engage in political angst, but seeks common ground and celebrates the freedom to disagree.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.
Love is action. Love is work; hard work.
Barbie’s shoes will be lost, remote control batteries will die, sweaters will shrink, jewelry will tarnish – Santa might even be elected; but the gift of love will last forever.
Because the greatest of these is love.
By Cindy Cutts, Talk Story Editor-in-Chief – St. Jude’s Episcopal Church on Hawaii Island
“Love is kind… and tired; a lot of tired”