The 10 Christmas Commandments

The 10 Christmas Commandments which appeared in a church newsletter and contain some good advice that will help us keep selfishness in check:

1. You shall not leave ‘Christ’ out of Christmas, making it ‘Xmas,’ because ‘X’ is an unknown factor in mathematics.

2. You shall prepare your soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts that it is forgotten.

3. You shall not let Santaclaus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of its spiritual reality.

4. You shall not burden the salesgirl, the postman, and the shopkeeper with complaints and demands.

5. You shall give yourself time for silence. This will increase its value a hundredfold, and those around you will get the benefit of it.

6. You shall not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.

7. You shall not neglect the needy. Share your blessings with many who will go hungry and cold if you are generous.

8. You shall not neglect the midnight Mass. Its services highlight the true meaning of the season.

9. You shall be as a little child. Not until you become in spirit as a little one are you ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

10. You shall give your heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of your Christmas list.

1Cor13 in Advent Light...

Finally the advent virus will make us read 1Cor 13 in a Christmas version:

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and bells 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 mealtimes, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I slog away at competitive crib show at the expense of harmony, peace and love and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the Christmas tree with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of christmas 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 other. Love sets aside the decorating to say a good word to my friend. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s crib or decoration or a new set of clothes.

Love doesn’t yell at the other to get out of the way during the crib-decoration, 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. DVDs will break, sweets will be consumed, cards will be dumped in the dustbin, clothes will fade, but giving the gift of love will endure.