{"id":3339,"date":"2021-12-14T10:47:45","date_gmt":"2021-12-14T18:47:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gracecommunitympk.org\/?p=3339"},"modified":"2021-12-14T10:47:45","modified_gmt":"2021-12-14T18:47:45","slug":"one-thing-god-wants-you-to-remember-at-christmas-advent-devotional-december-14","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gracecommunitympk.org\/ch\/devotionals\/one-thing-god-wants-you-to-remember-at-christmas-advent-devotional-december-14\/","title":{"rendered":"\u4e0a\u5e1d\u5e0c\u671b\u4f60\u5728\u8056\u8a95\u7bc0\u8a18\u5f97\u7684\u4e00\u4ef6\u4e8b\u2014\u2014\u964d\u81e8\u7bc0\u9748\u4fee\u2014\u201412\u670814\u65e5"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Devotional<\/picture><\/a><\/p>\n

One Thing God Wants You to Remember at\u00a0Christmas<\/a><\/strong>
\nSharon Jaynes<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Today\u2019s Truth<\/strong><\/p>\n

And now these three remain:\u00a0faith<\/a>, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love\u00a0<\/em>(1 Corinthians 13:13<\/a>\u00a0NIV).<\/p>\n

Friend to Friend<\/strong><\/p>\n

With Christmas, it\u2019s easy to get so busy with the cooking, decorating and shopping that we forget why we\u2019re doing all this in the first place. Sometimes, the very people we love get lost in the hustle and bustle of packed schedules, holiday parties, and Christmas musicals.<\/p>\n

Several years ago I wrote a Christmas version of\u00a01 Corinthians 13<\/a>\u00a0to help me keep my focus on what Paul deemed most important of all\u2026 love. As part of our family tradition, I pull it out and post it somewhere in our home as a reminder of what\u2019s really important during the holiday season. And since you are now part of the family, I\u2019m pulling it out for you.<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 13<\/a>\u00a0Christmas Style<\/p>\n

\u00a9By Sharon Jaynes<\/p>\n

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\u2019m just another decorator.<\/p>\n

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\u2019m just another cook.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties, and sing in the choir\u2019s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.<\/p>\n

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Love stops the cooking to hug the child.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.<\/p>\n

Love is kind, though harried and tired.<\/p>\n

Love doesn\u2019t envy another home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.<\/p>\n

Love doesn\u2019t yell at the kids to get out of your way.<\/p>\n

Love doesn\u2019t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.<\/p>\n

Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Let\u2019s Pray<\/strong><\/p>\n

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, on that starry night in Bethlehem. I am still amazed at Your great love for me. May I never lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, but celebrate Jesus\u2019 birth with joy! Help me to give as You gave\u2014with love.<\/p>\n

In Jesus\u2019 Name,<\/p>\n

Amen.<\/p>\n

Now It\u2019s Your Turn<\/strong><\/p>\n

What are some ways that you can make sure to love your family well this holiday season?<\/p>\n

Are there any activities that you need to eliminate from your busy schedule in order to alleviate over commitment? If so, what are they?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Girlfriends<\/picture><\/a><\/p>\n

Seeking God?<\/a><\/strong>
\nGirlfriendsInGod.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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