We are now entering the season of Advent. And just as St. Paul told the Corinthians to observe the festival of Passover—which they did coming to the Lord’s Supper—by getting rid of the yeast of malice and wickedness, so you should take care to observe Christmas in the same fashion.
This is the season of gift-giving. The central gift that all of us must give to one another is that of forgiveness. This is why Jesus was born in the first place—to give us the gift of forgiveness. You shall call His name Jesus, it was said, for He shall save His people from their sins. Never forget the point of His advent.
And never forget that Jesus requires, in the strongest possible terms, that we all give the same gift to one another that was given to us. Forgive us our trespasses, we pray, as we forgive those who trespass against us. If we want to honor and remember His gift to us, which we do at Christmas, then we must take equal care to extend that same gift to one another. Are there any whom you have not forgiven? Are you carrying any resentments? Are you harboring the yeast of malice in your heart? Do you reserve to yourself the right to grumble and criticize others? If you do not forgive others, then to give Christmas presents to others is a great hypocrisy. But such hypocrisy cannot be resolved by keeping the bitterness and throwing away the presents. Lay it all down. Drop what you have harbored in your heart. Receive forgiveness and extend it.
Remember always, there cannot be a merry Christmas where there are not merry hearts. And hearts full of gripes cannot be merry.