Sometimes it is SO hard to forgive others! We had one student in the past that I remember very clearly was struggling with forgiveness. During her time at Portantorchas, she felt convicted to forgive some people for some very real pain they had caused her. I marveled at her maturity. If she could get forgiveness figured out and successfully put into practice at 18 years of age, she would be far ahead of many people much older than her, who carry bitterness and anger for decades.
As I thought about this girl today, I realized something.
Christmas is a message of forgiveness. Jesus came to earth, born as a baby, and grew up to teach us how to forgive. And the greatest lesson He would teach us was through His forgiveness of all of our sins on the cross.
It took courage, and humility, and love, for Jesus to come to earth to forgive me.
God and sinners reconciled.
Born to set your people free.
He comes to make his blessings known, far as the curse (of sin) is found.
Sing, o sing of my redeemer, with his blood he purchased me.
On the cross he sealed my pardon (forgiveness).
Paid the debt and made me free!
I know this is nothing new. But this is my focus. For me, personally, I see forgiveness this Christmas. It means to lay aside what revenge or punishment I think someone else deserves, and to forgive them. Simple. Can I practice forgiveness for unkind words spoken to me, for unfairness, for feeling taken advantage of?
If this is the message God has put on my heart this season, then it is something He wants me to do. And I know He can help me to accomplish forgiveness, because He did it Himself - perfectly, completely, and with great love.