A Thrill of Hope - Week 4: Day 2
Practice Forgiveness Everyday
It’s hard to believe that after all these years, A Charlie Brown Christmas will not air on television this year. Do you remember when Lucy comes into the room where Charlie Brown is standing and says “"Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown? `Tis the season of peace on earth & good will toward men. Therefore, I suggest we forget all our differences & love one another."
Charlie Brown’s face lights up with joy. "That’s wonderful, Lucy. I’m so glad you said that. But why do we only have to love each other at this time of year? Why can’t we love each other all year long?" Lucy thinks for a minute… and then blurts out. "What are you, Charlie Brown… some kind of a fanatic or something?" Yes, it is an interesting reply. Can we keep the spirit of love and peace for the other days of the year and not just Christmas?
One idea of Christmas I think is important is the word ‘forgiveness’. Isn’t it a good idea to offer forgiveness now during this COVID Christmas season?
While people continue to celebrate Advent, we can look back on our life with regrets... the things we didn’t do that we should have. You may think you wish you had done things differently. We let things fester, become grudges, and we end up being the loser.
We must remember the words of the Bible, “The Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” (Exodus 34:6-7). Psalm 130:3-4 says, “if you kept a record of our sins, no-one could last long. But you forgive us.”
The coming of the babe in the manger tells us God did something about forgiveness. God sent a child into the world who would meet our deepest needs, a wonderful Counselor who is the mighty God, the source of peace. Isaiah had said “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined” (9:2).
Jesus came because we had made such a mess of this world. But He came as a baby, a baby named Jesus, born to save us from our sins. He grew up, and was crucified. But He came back from the dead. No-one but God could have done something like that.
It’s because Christ came that you and I can be forgiven even when we have a hard time forgiving ourselves.
Who in your life needs to be forgiven?
~ Pastor Matthew
“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” - Hebrews 8:12
Charlie Brown’s face lights up with joy. "That’s wonderful, Lucy. I’m so glad you said that. But why do we only have to love each other at this time of year? Why can’t we love each other all year long?" Lucy thinks for a minute… and then blurts out. "What are you, Charlie Brown… some kind of a fanatic or something?" Yes, it is an interesting reply. Can we keep the spirit of love and peace for the other days of the year and not just Christmas?
One idea of Christmas I think is important is the word ‘forgiveness’. Isn’t it a good idea to offer forgiveness now during this COVID Christmas season?
While people continue to celebrate Advent, we can look back on our life with regrets... the things we didn’t do that we should have. You may think you wish you had done things differently. We let things fester, become grudges, and we end up being the loser.
We must remember the words of the Bible, “The Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” (Exodus 34:6-7). Psalm 130:3-4 says, “if you kept a record of our sins, no-one could last long. But you forgive us.”
The coming of the babe in the manger tells us God did something about forgiveness. God sent a child into the world who would meet our deepest needs, a wonderful Counselor who is the mighty God, the source of peace. Isaiah had said “the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined” (9:2).
Jesus came because we had made such a mess of this world. But He came as a baby, a baby named Jesus, born to save us from our sins. He grew up, and was crucified. But He came back from the dead. No-one but God could have done something like that.
It’s because Christ came that you and I can be forgiven even when we have a hard time forgiving ourselves.
Who in your life needs to be forgiven?
~ Pastor Matthew
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