My wife and I just returned from our third trip to Israel. Each time, we have had the privilege of standing in the Shepherd's Field, which is small and very quiet. Standing in that field at night, you see nothing but the dark, star-filled sky... oh, and the lights of Bethlehem in the distance. I cannot even imagine what it would have been like to see and hear the angels announcing the birth of Jesus! I always laugh when I read Luke 2:10, and think of the angel saying, "Do not be afraid..." Yeah, right! Who would not be afraid when an angel appears in the darkness! The good news the angel pronounced was the birth of our Savior!
On that first Christmas night in Bethlehem, we see the greatest Giver was God... the greatest Gift was His Son... and the greatest example was God's act of forgiveness. Jesus did not come to pay the penalty for His sins, but rather to forgive and pay for ours. God gave His Son so that our sin could be forgiven and so that we could be reconciled to Him. Jesus did not do anything wrong, but He willingly laid down His life to pay our sin debt and purchase a place in heaven for us. That is an amazing act of love and forgiveness, which sets an example or us to follow.
Sadly, “churchgoers” are often the most unforgiving of people. I have worked in secular environments where people cuss at each other, lose their temper, and say some rotten things; but those same people let it roll off their backs and the next day they have forgiven each other, reconciled and moved forward. I do not often see that same effort toward forgiveness and reconciliation among those who claim to be “Christians.”
Christmas is a reminder that God forgives our faults and failures, and we should do likewise (Eph. 4:32). "Peace on earth and good will toward men" should start in the church. John 3:16 reminds us of God's position, "For God SO LOVED the world (those who had turned their backs on Him) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Eternal life through Jesus Christ is God's gift to all humanity and it reveals His heart of love… His example of forgiveness!
We, too, have the opportunity to claim or share in the gift of forgiveness this Christmas. If you have never confessed your sinful condition before God and personally received His gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, this Christmas season is a great time to do so. If you are holding a grudge against someone, Christmas is a great time of year to extend forgiveness and initiate the steps toward reconciliation. Being right with God and right with others could make this the greatest Christmas that you have ever experienced! I close by encouraging all Christ-followers to promote peace on earth and good will toward all men by following God’s example of forgiveness.
