By Dickson Tumuramye
The Christmas season is a time of celebration. People all over the world prepare to celebrate this day with their families and loved ones.
This season involves traveling, especially to villages and other nice places to make the best of it. Cities and towns are always half-empty as majority travel to join their family members upcountry.
In some urban centers, Christmas celebrations take place only on December 25. That is, however, not the same in the villages.
Most village Churches hold services from December 24 to January 1.
There are festivities all around and this is a time we get to see some of the relatives we have not seen in a long time.
The season presents to us a chance to strengthen bonds and share light moments with relatives and old time friends.
Nonetheless, such celebrations can only have meaning when you are at peace with the people you are celebrating with.
The Bible says: “Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible” (Romans 12:18).
Sometimes, mistakes are inevitable in human lives. Such mistakes get people hurt and break relationships.
However, we have to be tolerant and understanding with one another. This makes it easy for us to forgive others like God forgave us by sending His Son to die for us on the Cross.
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
There are people in this world who like to hold anger or abhorrence against others for life. The Word of God discourages us from letting anger control us (Ephesians 4:26).
It is only when you forgive that you are also forgiven. Imagine how God sacrificially sent His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Forgiveness is a deliberate action or process of releasing someone who hurt or harmed you, whether they deserve it or not.
You should not hold on to bitterness, resentment, or revenge in your heart.
Forgiveness might cause you to sin. Even when it is hard, we need to do it for our own sake and for the glorification of God.
Love restores
God loved us so much that He wanted to restore the relationship that was ruined after Adam had eaten the forbidden fruit.
So, sending His Son was an act of love and forgiveness towards humanity. Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
Hatred stirs quarrels and strife, but love overlooks insults and covers all sins (Proverbs 10:12).
May we use this Christmas season to rekindle our love for those who have caused conflict in our lives and families.
Scriptural fulfillment
We forgive not because we want, but because it is obedience to God.
That is why Jesus Christ says: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
“But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14).
It is not optional for Christians to forgive, but a requirement if we desire to be forgiven by the Father. Therefore, take action to forgive and receive God’s blessings.
The mere act of thinking about forgiving someone might cause new emotional distress, but we know it brings healing.
This will necessitate one to seek forgiveness from those they offended. Asking forgiveness is an act of humility and obedience. Jesus is the true example of having humility.
Don’t repay evil
The Word of God encourages us to feed our enemy when he is hungry, and give him drinks when he is thirsty in order to “Heap coals of fire on his head” (Romans 12:20).
Reduce toxic feelings of bitterness, stress, and anger this season and boost happiness with forgiveness.
Do not repay evil with evil. Create a positive atmosphere with everyone and conquer it by doing good, and live in harmony with each other.
The Bible says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
As God forgives us when we confess our sins, let us also act like Him towards our offenders.
Forgiveness does not come so easily. It takes painful decision making, tolerance and time. But the good news is: it is the reason Jesus Christ came, to lessen our burdens. He also left us the Holy Spirit to help and comfort us.
The writer is a child advocate, parenting coach, marriage counselor, and founder – Men of Purpose mentorship programme.
