Forgiveness

My mind and heart has been heavy since learning about the recent shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, and there is much I could discuss, but that would take up more space than I have.

One question that has been asked, and is especially pertinent to me as a pastor, is, “What is God doing about all of this?” This is a very appropriate question and one that I also find myself asking in the wake of such tragedies.

Yes, even pastors ask themselves the tough questions, and it was in my preparation for our Christmas services that I once again found my answer.

The right question is, “What has God done about this?” Christmas is about the coming and birth of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. In my preparation, I find myself focusing only on this sole point, the birth, which is important, but is only the beginning of what the true gift of Christmas is about.

The deep meaning of Christmas is about the gift of the forgiveness of sins that we as mankind do every day. That forgiveness came to us in Jesus Christ and what He would eventually do for us on that Good Friday, three days before Easter.

What God did in response to our daily wrongful deeds was to say to us, I love you, and I will give you my Son to take your place, so that you may be forgiven. That is the meaning of Christmas.

Published in Delta Optimist December 28 2012