What's Your Favorite Holiday?

John 13:34-35
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 

Someone asked me, “What’s your favorite holiday?” People who know me would probably guess Christmas. I do love the reason we celebrate, the decorations and the music, but I strongly dislike the commercialism. Then there’s Easter. I love Easter because we celebrate Jesus resurrection, but I do that all year round. Thanksgiving is yummy and on New Year’s I feel ready to start over. I guess when it comes down to it, I love Valentine’s Day.

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The whole day revolves around love. Jesus new commandment to his disciples was to love one another. At weddings we hear 1 Corinthians 13 as if it is only for marriage, but isn’t that the love I need to pour over everyone? It’s not always easy. Some people aren’t lovable. But then neither were the folks Jesus loved. Smelly fishermen, tax collectors, women with questionable morals. Yet he loved them and turned their lives upside down. That’s one of the reasons I love Jesus. He was fearless in his compassion for other people. If we love like Jesus then love never fails.