Forgiveness is a Gift

Forgiveness is a gift. With the thought of Christmas presents around the horizon, talking about the gift of forgiveness is inevitable. Today I just wrapped up a plain box. I didn’t want to get their hopes up, so I told them there was nothing really inside. I explained that the box represents forgiveness. It is a free gift you are given, and it’s a free gift you give others. They passed the present back and forth. There was a huge smile and excitement on their face even though they were aware the box was empty. I pointed out that it feels really good to both give and receive gifts, and that it also feels much better to forgive even though sometimes it is a really hard choice to make. They wanted to open the gift anyway, which I let them do. They then went upstairs and re-wrapped it and brought it down for me, urging me to open their gift. I did and found a crown. They said the crown was there to remember that Jesus is King and he forgives. I think they’re getting it.