While scrolling online recently, I came across a beautifully written reflection by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson that stopped me in my tracks. Her words were a timely reminder of what the Christmas season is truly about, and I felt they were too meaningful not to share. During our staff devotion time at CFR, I read her post aloud, and it sparked conversations about how we can live out love during this special time of year. Shellie’s message resonated with me, and I hope it inspires you as much as it did our team. Here’s what she wrote:
If I play Christmas music in my house all season long but the lyrics never move my heart to worship, the beautiful sounds may as well be clanging cymbals.
If I understand the significance of the Christmas story and commit the second chapter of Luke to memory, but I have not love, I am nothing.
If I drop coins in every red kettle I pass and donate toys to every drive, but have no love, it profits me nothing.
If I decorate my house with tiny white lights and dried orange garlands and buy gifts for everyone on my list, but I’m too preoccupied to love others, I’ll be just another consumer.
If I bake all the traditional pies, cookies, and candies without showing love, I’ll be nothing more than a tired baker.
Love is sensitive to those whose hearts are heavy during the Christmas season.
Love doesn’t compete with other families’ Christmas activities or compare them to their own.
Love doesn’t boast of their Christmas festivities on social media.
Love doesn’t get frustrated with the cashier or break in front of others.
Love doesn’t lose its composure in holiday traffic.
Love doesn’t believe the worst of others.
Love doesn’t indulge in excess.
Love rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believers all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
Toys will lose their appeal and gifts will be forgotten…but love that is shown will outlast it all.
When I was a child, I understand Christmas as a child. I thought only of what I could get. Now that I’ve grown up, I aim to live embracing the true meaning of Immanuel, God with us.
Now I see in a mirror, but one day I’ll see Jesus face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Christmas Blessings to you,
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson
