Love cannot be bought
Love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail. 1 Corinthians 13 : 6 - 7 (GNB) |
It is a week until Christmas, and I am guessing by now you seen countless adverts, shows and read many articles essentially telling you that the way to have a good Christmas... the way to make your friends and family like you... the way to make people love you is to buy a load of stuff.
A certain leading supermarket is claiming that Christmas can be "made better" by buying their wares. Another retailer claims to have "All you need for Christmas". Finally, a fruit themed mobile phone manufacturer claims that their products can "Open your heart to everyone". But is this all there is to it? Should we really believe that friendships and relationships can simply be brought in this way?
If this were the case you would think that the richest people in the world would also be the happiest. However all too often this isn't the case. Our passage this week gives a different view on love and happiness. According to Paul in his letter to the people in the city of Corinth, love is built on truth.
Truth isn't something that you can buy, but it available to all. Being honest with one another is the key. Along with truth is patience and reliability, standing by our friends and family even when things don't go to plan. Standing by them and supporting them even if the decisions they are making are not the ones you would make yourself. Loving one another is the greatest gift that we can give each other this Christmas, it might be more effort to give, than something off the shelf, but that is what makes it special.
This Christmas make sure that above all the gift you are giving this Christmas is love. Have a great week and enjoy this festive time of year with those you love.
This week's song is Drummer Boy / Oh Come All Ye Faithful by Hillsong London |
Header image by: Nicholas Eckhart via Flickr