Forgiveness: The True Gift of Christmas

"You know, while I really don't think I need to ask forgiveness from you about dad jokes, you know, I do believe that forgiveness is central to the Christmas story. I think it is a central theme of the Christmas story. And before I show you in Luke chapter two, I want to pray for us. God, I thank you that forgiveness is central to Christmas. And I pray that as we dive into your word, the truth of what you have done, I pray, God, that you will forgive me. And I pray that it would impact us, that we would see it as central, not just to a story, but to our lives, ourselves, and how we interact with others." [00:25:44] (39 seconds)


"This lamb, Jesus, born for this purpose, to save people from their sin, to offer forgiveness so that they wouldn't experience the penalty of death because of that sin, so that God could accomplish what he wanted all along, which was to have a relationship with those that he made. And he's perfect and we're not. And so they and we need saving. If we're going to have a relationship with the God who made us, forgiveness is sin. We need to have a relationship with the God who made us. Forgiveness is sin. We need to have a relationship with the God who made us. Forgiveness central to the Christmas story." [00:41:44] (33 seconds)


"The American Psychological Association said that their survey revealed that 44 % of people, say their number one stress at Christmas, was due to unresolved family issues. They had attention to their gatherings and celebrations. I won't do a show of hands, but I bet that's accurate. 23 % of them actually used the word dread when talking about family gatherings because of unresolved issues or unforgiveness. You know, it can feel so dissonant, can't it? Where we're celebrating the gift of forgiveness. And, you know, he came down away in a manger. We're singing these things, right? And we're celebrating this. It can feel so dissonant while we sing about that and we walk around with unforgiveness in our own hearts or the knowledge that we need to ask for forgiveness." [00:49:28] (52 seconds)


"Scripture even tells us, right, if you're there making an offering at the altar and you remember that you got like an issue with somebody, you need to go make that right, then come back and worship. Because it hinders this, right? It makes it difficult for you to truly appreciate this unless you become like him and practice it and participate in it with others. You want to be more thankful for God than you've ever been in your life? Become a forgiver. See how hard it is. Until it's settled, you won't be settled. Scripture speaks really clearly to this. Ephesians 4 says, Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." [00:51:53] (44 seconds)


"So as much as forgiveness is the best gift we've ever received, perhaps the best gift you can give this Christmas isn't found on Amazon. It's not sold by Apple. You won't find it at Target. The best gift you could maybe give this Christmas is the gift of forgiveness. It's sort of what Christmas is all about. Forgiveness is central to the Christmas story. You see that. And I want to give you a spoiler alert. Just like when you give gifts at Christmas and you learn that truth, that it's better to give than it is to receive. Just like that, when you forgive, you end up being the one that's blessed. And when you don't forgive, you're the one who's suffering. Not them. It's you." [00:52:55] (59 seconds)


"And so if you have done that, if you have received that great gift, that offer of forgiveness, then perhaps the thing that needs to be at the top of your list, the top of your budget, maybe it ought to be to extend or ask for forgiveness. It doesn't mean that everything that they did is okay. It doesn't mean that you don't need boundaries. It doesn't mean that everything needs to go back to the way that it was. It doesn't even mean full reconciliation. It just means that you're not going to hold it over their head anymore. That you're going to let God deal with forgiveness you've received to others." [00:54:53] (54 seconds)


"You know, apart from Jesus, the best gift this Christmas might not come in a box. It might not come with a pretty bow wrapped on top. It might not come with a QR code linked to something. It might come in a prayer of surrender to the Lord, releasing it to him. And if you need help saying, I don't know where to start. That's what we're here for. We want to help you with this. Because you won't know freedom. You won't even understand worship till you participate in forgiveness. And we want to help you with that." [00:56:13] (49 seconds)


"pray for those who have never received. That gift of forgiveness. That this Christmas. They would unwrap the package. And it would become theirs. As you've done. Everything planned it out from before the foundation of the world in Christ, to give, to offer this gift. May they open it and receive it today, recognizing their brokenness and the need for forgiveness, turning to you, confessing Jesus as Lord, for the first time or again, the joy of the best" [00:59:17] (57 seconds)


"I thank you for the people here who have experienced the best gift ever, the gift of forgiveness. Help us, Lord, to know that as the best gift, not only in our own hearts, but also in our lives as we extend it to others. I pray, God, that you would bless every person here and go with them now. In Jesus' name. Amen. God bless you. You're dismissed." [01:09:43] (23 seconds)