Love came down at Christmas

‘Love came down at Christmas’ is the title of a Christmas poem by Christina Rossetti in 1885 – which is one of my favourites for this time of year. It reminds us of why it all happened.
Some Year 1 children recently told me that we celebrate Christmas “to get presents”. “But why”, I asked. “Because we have been good – all year”, they replied.

Well - I'm not sure about that; I know I haven’t been good enough to deserve the blessings of God at Christmas. That is the scandal of grace, though; that God came down to earth as a vulnerable baby – because he loves us so much. In truth, Love did come down at Christmas.

This love is something we need to share with those around – which isn’t easy with all the stress of getting everything just right. I found this poem, ‘The 1 Corinthians 13 of Christmas’ which I think helps us get the right attitude:

If I decorate my house with beautiful bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny baubles, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of mince pies, roasting a perfect turkey, and lay a magnificent table, but have no love for my guests, I am 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 have compassion in my heart for those in need, I am just another social service; it profits me nothing.

If I decorate the tree with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes and attend a myriad of holiday parties 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 help one’s wife with boring housework. Love puts the Christmas present shopping on hold in order to run the elderly neighbour to the doctor. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has more expensive presents, or even coordinated Christmas china and table linen.

Love doesn’t yell at the children to get out of the way; love is glad that 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, even irritating relatives. It believes all things, and encourages teenagers to aim high for their future. It hopes all things, endures all things, even a spouse who is depressed about their job prospects. Love never fails other people.

Computer games will crash, even cashmere jumpers will wear out, and golf clubs will get lost. But the gift of love will endure forever. Happy Christmas!