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To: Stressed Out First Corinthians 13, 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, 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'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. Merry Christmas

sss, How utterly beautiful. Well said.

Paul-Thank you, thank you, so well said and so neccesary to say at this time,unfortunately..I do not understand the mentality of people complaining about being with their relatives etc at this time of year, especially this year..Thank you~M

Ultimately, Christmas is a religious holiday. Use the time to contemplate your spiritual values. All the material trappings is self imposed.

Dear Stressed Out, I can really offer no advice, but just want you to know that I understand. This year, I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to live up to my own expectations. I am only in my 40's, but I can remember when we didn't decorate until the second week in December. Now, people decorate Thanksgiving weekend, and not just a few outdorr lights and a tree. People have all these nick-nacks inside as well. We rush around to Christmas parties until we are exhausted.Sunday School, office, social clubs, civic clubs, business associates and friends all have parties. Make lists of people to give gifts to and send out Christmas cards. I want to get a little gift for my mailman, the housekeeper, my secretary, my boss, my newspaper deliverer, and other clerical staff who are so helpful throughout the year. Try to find a nice gift and wrap it for my parents, brothers, their wives, grown nephews. Make a pies, casseroles, and load gifts into car and drive 350 miles to spend two nights with family. I appreciate that my sister in law goes to a lot of trouble for the family, and I am relieved that I don't have to host the family. We rush and rush and it's all so, I don't know, about rushing. I know this is rambling, but i am just burned out. i loved being with my family, and they aren't difficult, it's just the demands I place on myself each year.

And, my favorite radio station began an all Christmas music format the week BEFORE Thanksgiving.

You must read the new John Grisham book... Skipping Christmas, it is an enjoyable, quick read

Ummm.... X-mas thread?

Thanks for topping Faina, or I would never have read "Paul's" post which is a timely reminder.

Paul knows what Christmas is.

I don't know who Paul is but I am sure glad this thread was pulled up and I was able to read his post. Thank you Paul, whoever you are and wherever you are. And thank you Faina for bringing this thread to the top.

Thanks Paul for those wonderful thoughts, I would like to read that to my Sunday School class tomorrow. Most everyone had good suggestions for de-stressing the Christmas season. Funny how we are all so busy this time of year, but here we sit reading the Fodors boards! Merry Christmas to all!

So nice to read again.

Thanks for bringing it up.

I'm the Jeanette in the '01 post and I remember Paul's post- because I printed it out.

The sister-in-law is still angry about my cutting out the extended presents. I'm still happy, serene, and enjoying the Christmas celebration with 5 grandchildren now.

Take Paul's post to heart and if you experience the displeasure of another family or individual, remember what Christ's answer was. More love, and turning the other cheek.

If I wouldn't resort to becoming a blubbering fool, I would ask to read this tomorrow at our Sunday School's annual Christmas program.

Beautiful, Paul.

Hi Stressed ,
Stove top dressing is fine. I jazz mine up with sausage and jicama finely diced. Our children are grown and gone , all over the country. We send them gift cards to restaurants and checks so that they can buy the grandchildren what they need. This works for us. No wrapping , no exchanging , no stress. We generally either go on a cruise or to dinner with friends of like ilk.

Just my opinion, but the stress doesn't necessarily come from the amount of stuff you try to do, but rather the way you feel about it. Trying to do just the stuff YOU enjoy, not what is "expected," is what helps with stress.

I personally like to feel festive at Christmas, and have/do things I might not necessarly attempt at other times of year. When my children were young and my job more demanding, I tried the "Christas away" path, but the children always say, "that was nice Mom, but next year let's stay home," no matter how glamorous the destination. But we have very low-key traditions now, like the candlelight service on Christmas Eve, mimosas and coffee cake while we open gifts, and then maybe going out to a new movie on Christmas Day.

"stress doesn't necessarily come from the amount of stuff you try to do, but rather the way you feel about it"

So true! and what a challenging lesson that is to learn, at least for me.... I'm about half way there ;-)

And remembver that true friends are God's apology for bad relatives!

Thanks for bringing back this thread. So good for this week before Christmas.

OK, maybe I'm off track, but "Paul" wrote this post in 2001, when you could use any ole name and e-mail without registering.

I thought "Paul" was writing as the original author of 1 Corinthians 13, but bringing us the updated Christmas version. I'd be happy to hear more from him anytime. :)