Imagine someone wrote your obituary and posted it on the internet as a joke. Despite the fact that you were really still alive. Your friends and foes started to post their comments and memories about what they thought about you. What would you be reading? In the book, “The Christmas List’ the main character is angered and humiliated by the comments of his so-called friends and foes. Worse than anger or even betrayal, he felt something still stronger. He felt shame.
Heartless, Monster, Grinch, His memory had been betrayed by his friends as well as his enemies. Only one person seemed to care about him and it was the woman he betrayed. He was baffled. After all he had done to her, she had stood up for him. Why?
For the first time in his life he discovered what people really thought about him. Without going into details and giving away the story let me share that he decided to make amends to all the people he had hurt in his life.
Our character was pretty shaken up by what he read in the online comments. He decided he wanted to make amends. But his best friend asked him a most profound question: “Do you want to change yourself or change what others thought about you.”
He felt that he deserved every one of those comments on the web site and ten thousand more. “Those people know the real me.” But the worst thing is that NOW that I really do want to make things better, there’s nothing I can do. Maybe this is hell, seeing the truth. Knowing fully the pain and hurt you caused others and knowing there’s no way you can make it better. He stole their lives and dreams. How could he ever be forgiven?
Isn’t that the point of Christmas? You might have started your life’s journey for the wrong reason reaching for ambition, greed, selfishness, but you want desperately to be in the right place. I believe that our intent matters. I know that it’s never too late to do the right thing. There are people who still need you and care about you.
God prays for us as we reflect on this passage: “Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18).
We all wish to be pure again. To be reborn to a second chance.
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who ask the question: Can you ever forgive me? Imagine Jesus taking your face into His hands and looking into your eyes as he says: “I already have.”
This year, as you gaze upon the infant in the crib in wonder, whisper these words: “How could you forgive me? I don’t deserve it.” Remember: that’s what makes it love.
