It’s Christmas again and angels have landed on our tree. Several days ago I said I hate Christmas, but not because our Savior was born, but all the craziness and shallowness that comes with it nowadays. I hate to be amongst people chasing their “perfect” gift for their loved ones, and sometimes I hate being them myself.
This part of the year I also think about the year behind me and I wish to forget some of it, or just wish that some things would have turned out with a different (better) result.
I wish I could be with Phil, Erika and Izzybee, whom I’ve never met in person, but I wish I could spend some time with them, help them, and take some pictures of their beautiful family and the little angel.
I wish I could be a bit better husband, father, servant and follower of God, a bit more successful and better photographer. But this is who I am. Don’t expect wise words from me. I could tell you some, but right now I feel they weren’t very sincere. All I can say is the same that my son was given by his teachers for Christmas. I’d like to wish you all a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year with the words of an unknown writer, who wrote the Christmas version of 1 Corinthians 13 and a small video that was made by my friend Sandor Balint.
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.
For those of you who don’t yet speak the Magyar language, here’s the translation of the copy:
“Christmas is coming again,
With each passing day drawing near.
Think of what you can do to share with others
The GOOD that God has gifted you wit…h.”
Words: excerpt from “Christmas Wish” by Kovásznai K?vér JánosMusic: “Tempesta” by Fabio Confalone
Your underestimate your good words, your careful selection for sharing others’ words and your photos. I have been reading holiday posts for the past 3 weeks and this was a very inspiring post to me. I can only read English, so I do not know completely the message of the video, but it was beautiful, too. I work really hard to try to make my blog interesting – to a small audience of readers like erika (how I came to your blog). I’m planning to photo my Christmas decorations before I put them away to use the photos in posts early in December next year. My, but your photos are beautiful!
Happy New Year!
Thank you for your kind words! It was my prayer that this message would reach those, who need its inspiration as much as I do. In case you wonder, here is the translation for the message on the video:
“Christmas is coming again,
With each passing day drawing near.
Think of what you can do to share with others
The GOOD that God has gifted you with.”
Words: excerpt from “Christmas Wish” by Kovásznai K?vér János
Music: “Tempesta” by Fabio Confalone