By Henry Lawson, 1913
“Along by merry Christmas time they buy the aged goose,
And boil the dread plum pudding, because of ancient use.
But to sneer at old time customs would be nothing but a crime,
For the memory of the Past is all bound up in Christmas time.
Then Jim comes home from shearing, and he puts a few away,
With Dad, perhaps, or Uncle, but they’re right on Christmas Day:
For be it on the Never, or ‘neath the church bells’ chime,
The family gets together, if they can, at Christmas time.
And, after tea at Christmas, they clear the things away
And play the dear old silly games our grand-folk used to play
And Dad gives a recitation that used to be the joy
Of all the Western countryside, when Father was a boy.
Along by merry Christmas time, and ere the week is o’er
We meet and fix up quarrels that each was sorry for.
Our hearts are filled with kindness and forgiveness sublime,
For no one knows where one may be next merry Christmas time.”
Christmas is when we celebrate the birthday of Jesus. Jesus was born to die for our sins. He paid the price for ALL the sins of ALL the people. The gift of forgiveness is free for us. However, it cost Jesus everything! He didn’t have to save us, but He chose to because He loves us. We can never earn God’s forgiveness. We don’t deserve it.
People may have hurt us badly. We may think that they don’t deserve our forgiveness. Or we think that if they apologise, we might consider forgiving them. When we realize how much God has loved us and forgiven us, then forgiving others is easier. Note, I didn’t say ‘easy.’
To err is human, to forgive – divine.
Alexander Pope
For no one knows where one may be, next merry Christmas time.
Henry Lawson
For further study and encouragement, read The Unforgiving Servant, Matthew 18:21-35.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
What are your memories of Christmas when you were young?
What Christmas traditions are you setting up for your families now?
Are there people who need your “kindness and forgiveness sublime” ?
How would you feel if those people weren’t here next Christmas, and you hadn’t taken the opportunity to share forgiveness with them?
What is stopping you from speaking with them and forgiving them?