Christmas is a beautiful time of the
year. It is a time of wonder and giving. It is a season when family
members come together and enjoy the warmth of one another's company.
But for some, Christmas stirs up negative emotions. I believe that
some who are reading this blog have been hurt from the words and
actions of others. My prayer for you this Christmas is that you
would know the healing power of Jesus' love.
During Christmas, we celebrate the
birth of a King. Jesus, born in a manger, lived a perfect life, and
then paid the penalty for our sins on the cross. When He hung on
that tree, He experienced stark separation from God the Father. He
allowed His heart to be broken so we could receive healing in our own
hearts. He lives in the hearts of those who have invited Him in.
But He can't fully express Himself through us if we harbor
unforgiveness towards others.
The only way to have a heart that's
whole and free is to learn to forgive others – in fact, Christmas
is for-giving. When we forgive, we set ourselves free from the
chains that bind us, and we give God's love to others. When
we forgive, we can look to the Holy Spirit to show us how we should
love the person who has hurt us. We become like a flower that opens its pedals to the world. God wants the fragrance of His love to
flow through us. He does not want us to be closed to others. He
wants us to be an open door.
Sometimes forgiveness is a process that
begins with a choice – an act of faith that is not dependent on the
way we feel. We may have to bring our hurts before the Lord more
than a few times, but eventually, with His help, we can forgive.
This Christmas, let's allow the love of
God to flow in us and through us. Let's take the time to allow the
Holy Spirit to search our hearts and to show us if there are any
areas in our heart that need God's healing touch.
Dear Holy Spirit,
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