“Forgive those who have sinned against you and your heavenly Father will forgive you too.” - - Matthew 6:14
Times were tough in 1933; so hard that the Bauer’s couldn’t afford a Christmas tree. When Maria brought it up, her mother Arlene replied angrily that it “ridiculous to litter one’s home with a dead tree.” Maria disagreed. Naively perhaps, she believed a tree might just bring some needed holiday cheer.
Days before Christmas, Maria collected from a newspaper customer who was several months past due. The lady paid her $2 fee and even added a 50-cent tip. Maria stopped at the Christmas tree lot. A few scrawny ones remained unsold; she picked the best of what was left. The seller wanted $3, but when her sad, puppy-dog-eyes met his, he agreed to just $2.50.
Furious, Arlene flew into a tirade about how stupid it was to spend money on a dumb tree, scolding the child for her reckless indulgence. "Leave that tree there till it rots! It’ll remind us of how extravagant you were!" Slamming the door, Arlene retreated into the house and snapped off the porch light.
Dad helped his disappointed daughter bring the tree inside anyway. They decorated it as best they could, but it just wasn’t the same without a mother’s touch. Sadly, it was their worst Christmas ever.
Decades later, Maria sat alone . . . her thoughts alternated between joy and misery. She recalled her old paper route, that tree, Arlene’s outburst, and how Dad had tried to make things better. A whistle from the kitchen caught her attention.
Arlene, who was staying with them during the holidays and couldn’t sleep either, got up to make herself some hot tea. When she entered the family room, Maria motioned for Arlene to come join her. Maria commented about how she wished her Dad could’ve lived to see his grandchildren.
The room grew deathly quiet. Then Arlene spoke, "Remember the tree you bought with your paper route money?" She paused as great tears tumbled off her face, "Your dad was a good man, but we often fought about money. We were months behind in our rent, groceries were scarce, and that tree was the last straw. I took it all out on you. Oh, Maria, please forgive me!”
They both cried a little. It wasn’t difficult for Maria to forgive her. The bitterness washed away like a sand castle in high tide.
The great gifts of this season won’t be under the tree. You can’t wear, eat or play with them. The great gifts – joy, peace and forgiveness - come as He came: quietly, freely, and unexpectedly.
Jesus, thank you for pardoning my sins and giving me eternal life. Fill my heart this holiday season with more than dirty dishes, discarded wrapping paper and January bills. Amen.
