Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:13

The Christmas season, with its focus on family and gathering, often brings to the surface old hurts and unresolved conflicts. We are surrounded by people we are supposed to love, and yet, the pain of past offenses can feel like a heavy weight, stealing our joy and creating a barrier to true peace. We can carry bitterness and anger for so long that it starts to feel like a trusted companion, but in reality, it is a killer of peace and connection. The first Christmas was a story centered on family and relationships, and its core message of love and restoration is a powerful invitation for us to lay down our resentments and walk in forgiveness.

Forgiveness is not about condoning someone’s actions or pretending the hurt didn't happen. It’s an act of releasing the bitterness we’ve been holding onto, choosing to let go of our right to be angry. The Bible doesn't command us to forgive because it's easy, but because we ourselves have been forgiven so much. We are called to "forgive as the Lord forgave you." This is the ultimate model of unhurried grace. God did not wait for us to earn His forgiveness; He freely offered it to us through the ultimate sacrifice of His Son.

This truth paves the way for relational restoration and true peace this season. When we choose to forgive, we are actively participating in the message of Christmas. We are breaking the cycle of bitterness and resentment that so often defines our relationships, especially with those closest to us. Forgiveness is a path to freedom—freedom from the burden of anger and the stress of unresolved conflict. This is the peace that transcends a successful holiday and permeates our hearts with the quiet, restorative power of Christ's love.

Write down one thing you need to forgive someone for, and consciously release that bitterness to God.

Questions for Reflection

1. What is the weight you have been carrying due to unforgiveness, and how is it preventing you from experiencing peace this season?

2. The devotion states that forgiveness is not about forgetting but about releasing bitterness. What is one practical step you can take today to release that bitterness to God?

3. How can an act of forgiveness, no matter how small, bring restoration and peace to one of your relationships this Christmas?