19March2024

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What are Vitamins for the Heart? Additionally to the physical help for us the spiritual support has likewise a big meaning. ‘Vitamins for the Heart’ is the title of series in which we publish new articles monthly. The Vitamins are compositions out of texts, which we are friendly allowed by the authors to present on our webpage. Because we had many positive reactions to the vitamins we also want to present them on our webpage and hope that they will also bring many others a big pleasure.

Vitamins for the Heart

The Love Chapter – a Christmas Version

CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS

Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. …It is forgetting self and finding time for others and the true values in life. – Thomas S. Monson

One of the miracles of Christmas is that even in a modern society, where you often find yourself seemingly besieged by rampant materialism, the true meaning of Christmas is never entirely lost. Even nonbelievers are moved by the symbolism of an innocent child who represents humanity’s hope and who came to earth to invite each person to reach out to God and to one another. – Ronan Keane

The Love Chapter – a Christmas Version

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. – Source Unknown (1. Corinthians 13, paraphrased for Christmas)

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To find the real meaning of Christmas, a good place to start is by making a distinction between Christmas and the giving of gifts. Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ coming to earth. Some of the ways I plan to spread the spirit of Christmas this year is by … practicing random acts of kindness in my community; avoiding the shopping mall; keeping Christmas simple with less fussing and more meaning, and spending as much time as possible with family and friends. And my gift to Jesus on His Birthday – gratitude! – Mara Hodler

Copyright © 2020 Aktive Direkt Hilfe e. V.



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