Christmas, a Time of .... Offense?

By Carol Wollaston

Christmas can be a most wonderful time of year for many families.  But sadly, this is not always the case.  For some families, Christmas, like weddings and funerals, highlights stress and sorrow.  Loneliness and alienation are often experienced where, due to relational disharmony, family members are excluded from celebrations.  And for those who have lost a loved one close to Christmas, or who no longer have family connections, isolation and sorrow are constant companions.

God understands our human hurts and failings.  After all, He brought His only Son, Jesus, into the world in a body of flesh, through the normal birthing process from the womb of Mary.  Jesus knew conflict and alienation for the whole of His earthly life.  There were some who mocked His mother for becoming pregnant outside marriage, and others would have ridiculed Joseph for sticking by her.  Some of their offensive comments are recorded in the Bible.  (John 8:41)   Throughout His ministry the religious leaders were threatened by Him, persecuting and finally crucifying Him.  Even Nathaniel, who became a follower, expressed an initial prejudice by saying, ‘can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ (John 1:46)

In all this we can see a most remarkable quality in Jesus -  His perseverance in the face of persecution, whilst loving those who offend Him.  This capacity is anything but human, and is evidence of the divine life that He brought into flesh with Him.   The amazing thing is that this life can be planted in us too!   Those who become joined to Him share His life so that we, too, can express the same love and perseverance towards those who hurt us. 

It is so easy for us to take offense, and sometimes break a relationship in the heat of the moment.  Later we may regret what has happened but pride prohibits us rebuilding bridges.

We would all acknowledge the truth in the old saying, ‘life is too short’.  When we tap into the life and power of God, we can give Christmas gifts that are of an imperishable nature.  We can offer forgiveness for offense, the hand of friendship to an old foe, love in place of disharmony, companionship to the lonely, peace where there has been conflict, and inclusion for the alienated.  Like the angels of the first Christmas, we can then say that peace has come on our little patch of the earth and goodwill among men with whom He is pleased.  God wants to fill us with the Spirit of His Son so as to make us the instruments of His peace towards the broken hearted, the captive, the blind and the oppressed. (Gal 4:6, Isa 61:1)

May our annual salutation of “Happy Christmas” not leave our lips before we say, in the midst of broken relationships, ‘Please forgive me; I forgive you.’  By this we will demonstrate that Christ has been truly born in our hearts.