I borrowed this from my dear client and friend Angie on FB. To all of those that are struggling with the Christmas spirit this year – a little reminder of what Christmas is really about…
1 Corinthians 13, the Christmas Version:
If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, friends and neighbors, 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, etc., 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, etc., 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’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 forever. Christmas is love.
This is the best thing I’ve read all the ding dong year. Thank you Coach, thank you Angie. I’m spreading this about …thanks again.
What a great modern take on the wisest words! Coach, I do not know you, except through Jayme’s blog, but many of her readers think you are amazing. We have been reading along about her weight loss as well as her struggles and feelings throughout the process. How you are able to motivate people and encourage them to reach their goals must be incredible. We only know Jayme’s story, but after visiting this site, there are others! Another scripture comes to mind, “Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his friends”. As Jayme would say, “Amen”! Keep up the good work!
Thank you Bonnie. I’m not going to say that what I do is easy but I will say that it’s truly a pleasure and my passion and that makes it not easy but anything but work. Jayme is a great person first and I’m really blessed to be a part of her life and fitness journey.
Splendid reading. Thank you. Merry Christmas & Happy new Year. And, to you Jayme too.
Loved this post. I feel like I know you because of all the great things Jayme says about you. I love and adore our sweet Jaymesie. She has a heart as big as her butt used to be. Thank you for helping her, encouraging her, building her up a and showing her that her beautiful insides deserved a beautiful outside too. Merry Christmas Coach!
P.S. I think you need to post her songs regarding that new phone!!
I think you’re right about reposting her video song re: the new phone. And SHE CAN SING!!!
Very well said…thank you Coach…
That awesome Jayme sent me over and I’m glad she did.
Merry Christmas!
This is beautiful!
I’m stopping over from Jayme’s blog to say hello! She is such an inspiration! You must be pretty good, if you could get her to give up that butter! : ) Keep up the good work!
Merry Christmas to you!
Jayme has been persistent, as have I. I believe it’s very true that failure cannot handle persistence. And let me tell you she looks every bit as good or better in person compared to her pics. She really does.
Oh my gosh – you have no idea how badly I needed to read this right now. I have my three nieces and let’s just say……well, lets just say I needed to read this!!! Thank you. Jayme sent me here.
Cindy Bee
I just love this!! I came over from Jayme’s blog. What a fabulous thing you have done for the “Coop Keeper” and many others. 🙂
Thank you! Jayme is pure joy to work with and I’m very proud of her!
I <3 this! Merry Christmas!
Visiting from the beautiful, smart, funny, encouraging Jayme. The blessings you have bestowed upon her spill out onto us on a daily basis & for that I am most ever thankful!
Very bold of you to share any version of 1 Corinthians 13 (on a business blog) & I love it!
I love Jayme and she sent me here to thank you for helping her be the best she can be. She inspires me. Merry Christmas. Gayle
David,
I came over from Jayme’s blog.
Great post and Awesome reminder about what LIFE, not just Christmas, is all about.
Thank you for sharing. And Angie, thanks for your thoughts.
Merry Christmas to you and yours
Julie
Thanks so much for focusing us on the true meaning of Christmas! And thanks for all you have done to inspire Jayme as she shares her ups and downs with us on her blog. Be blessed and have a great 2012!
Thanks for a lovely reminder of what Christmas is all about. I read the coop keeper and she recommended your post. I am glad she did. I am now off to go spread some love around (whilst I do a bit of cooking and cleaning!)
Merry Christmas!
Sending you many wonderful Christmas wishes and thanking you for helping our Jayme girl look fab for the holidays!
well…came over from Jayme’s to read your post! So glad I did..never have seen this rendition of I Cor. 13 for Christmastime. Well said, and SO true. When we love God first and foremost, then our love for everyone else in line will be the best we can give, simply because the source of it comes ….from Him! 🙂 Glad to know you are a believer and thus, a brother in Christ. rah! Jayme looks great and I admire her commitment. You have had a huge impact in her life, and I have enjoyed following along. It inspires me!!! ***Keep up the outstanding work you are doing for so many. My Marine has inspired me many times… one thing he has said – DO or DO NOT…there is no TRY!…kicked me into losing the weight I needed to lose for my HEALTH. Truly we do not own our bodies. We are stewards of them. Thanks for the wonderful reminder for Christmas. Glad Jayme sent me over. God’s richest blessings for 2012!
Dear Dave,
Thank your for sharing those inspirational words. I’m glad Jayme sent me here. I have been following her weight loss journey and your part in it and you seem like an amazing person-it’s obvious the journey you take your followers on goes way beyond wieight loss…and involves inner transformation. The pictures of your followers reveal people GLOWING with health and radiating happiness…you are a very special person indeed!
Jayme sent me over to read your post, and I’m glad I did. Thank you for working with her, she is a wonderful, kooky person. I love to read her blog and now, I’ll check in on yours sometimes.