As I listened to Dr. Laura the other day (yes, I admit listening to her, but in my defense, only if I happen to be in the car when she’s on!), I noted how many people call in this time of year because they don’t know how to deal with difficult relatives during the holidays. As I reflected on the callers’ dilemmas, I realized Christmas is more about forgiving than for giving.
On Christmas Day, good emotions prevail; and we are inclined to be forgiving and forbearing, temporarily overcome by a love that is greater than our negative feelings toward someone. But if only the spirit of Christmas moves us, we are not truly forgiving, but simply suspending our unforgiveness for a day: a benevolent warden offering a provisional pardon. But unless God’s Spirit of love overtakes us, resentment, bitterness and unforgiveness reclaim their foothold in our lives.
This “spirit of love” is expressed in these words of Paul:
“Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy [compassion], kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:12-14).
This Christmas be occupied with God’s gift of love through Jesus until it completely controls your thoughts and feelings toward all those whom God has placed in your life—not with the fleeting sentimental emotion of Christmas, but with the love of God, because love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Pet. 4:8).
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