"If you want people to like you, forgive them when they wrong you. Remembering wrongs can break up a friendship" (Prov 17:9, GNV) The problem is not whether people will ever wrong you in this life, they sure will. The problem is how you will choose to react, what you will choose to do when they do, whether you will be wise enough to forgive. If you tend to be unforgiving not only will you be left be so many broken relationships, but you will be left with a miserable life. Life is already hard as it is, don't make it worse by denying yourself a chance to live happy and fulfilled by bearing grudges against people. It says here if you want people to like you, forgive them. I am yet to see anyone who doesn't want to be liked by others. So I will simply read that passage as "Since you want people to like you, forgive them when they wrong you". People tend to think of forgiveness as something you may choose to do if you are wronged. It is not something you may choose to do, it is something you must do! When you forgive a wrong, you outlive it. .
Christmas is the ultimate season of forgiveness. Not only because the festivities require us to be in a good mood, but because we must also realize that the whole story of Christmas is centered around the birth of Jesus Christ whose sole purpose for coming into this world was to save us from our sins, to offer us God's forgiveness, to mediate between us and God, to reconcile us to God. And in His own words, He says:
"If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done." (Matthew 6.14-15)
If we must get the best of this season, it is the time to look back, remember all the people you still have something against. Remember all the people who insulted you, treated you badly, took you for granted... now, willfully forgive them. If you need to call them on phone, do so. If you need to go see them, go see them. This is a wonderful season of celebration, don't let anything rob you of the full joy you have. The season of Christmas, let's not just share joy and wishes and food, let's also share the love of God - let's forgive!
Merry Christmas!