It Happened One Christmas Eve!

Margaret woke early with a smile on her face. “Tomorrow is Christmas day and the children will be with us!” she thought to herself. As it was a tradition in her family, her children returned home on December 24th every year to spend Christmas with her and her husband, Don. It was the best time of the year for the whole family as they joined together to catch up with all the happenings of their life.

But there was something different than otherwise. Magaret felt a heaviness in her heart, and she did not know why!

Margaret was a pleasant woman. She and her husband Don were enjoying their retirement, and the household always was filled with happiness at their children’s homecoming.

She quickly got out of bed to ready herself before her children came in. But somehow, there was something that was bothering her. “ What is it that is bothering me?” Magaret thought to herself as she got busy cooking breakfast for herself and her husband, Don.

Don walked into the kitchen smiling at his dear wife as he wished her “Good Morning Margaret,” he said. Deep in thought, Magaret did not hear him walk into the kitchen. Startled, she jumped at the sound of his voice. Don rushed to his wife’s side and said apologetically, “Magaret, I am so sorry I didn’t mean to startle you!” Margaret smiled at her husband of 30 years as she wished him back, “Good Morning Don, did you sleep well,” she asked. “Yes dear,” he said, “Something smells delicious, what have you cooked for breakfast?” he asked “The aroma woke me up!”

Breakfast on December 24th was special for Magaret and Don. It was a day when Magaret always surprised Don with his favorite breakfast. She would mentally scan the list of his favorite breakfast items to make something that would make him happy.   

Every year they rejoiced in each other’s company, eating breakfast together and waiting for their children to come home for Christmas. Don dug into his breakfast, “this is amazing. These pancakes are so good, better than otherwise,” he said. Margaret watched her husband eat as she took a few bites of the pancakes on her plate. Before long, her husband noticed that something was amiss. Don looked into Magaret’s eyes as he asked, “Magaret are you alright? Is something wrong?” Margaret quickly averted her gaze from her husband’s face. She quickly nodded, unable to say a word. But Don persisted, “Magaret tell me everything alright. Has something happened that I should know? Tell me Magaret is something bothering you?”

“Don!” Margaret said, "I have done all that I generally do for Christmas. But I feel like I have missed out on something. I don’t feel good at all. It's bothering me!” she said. “I double-checked all the preparation for the children’s homecoming, and everything seems alright. I don’t understand—” 

“—have you forgiven the Fernandes family, Margaret, have you been able to overcome the pain they have caused us?” Don asked her. 

Margaret was a good woman, and she loved helping anyone who needed it. The Fernandes family had received much help from her. But only to stab her in the back, defame her, and blame her for things she had not done.” Both Magaret and Don were upset with them and had stopped mingling with them. When Don asked Magaret if she had come to terms with what had happened, she did not know what to say. Their deeds had hurt her, and she was still in pain, and Don knew it.

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“Don,” Margaret said. “Yes, I have forgiven them. But I would like to still stay away from them. I don’t want to give them one more chance to hurt me.” Don was looking at Margaret with great concern as she spoke. He listened to all that she had to say without once taking his eyes off her. When she finished speaking, he held her palm in his as he said, “Magaret you are a wonderful person. Unfortunately, not everyone sees it.”

Margaret quickly tidied up after breakfast. She was now seated at her little table and was packing the last few gifts. She was wrapping the last gift when she started thinking again. But this time about Christmas.

Every person receives gifts for their birthday. But for Christmas, we give and receive gifts to those around us. But what about the birthday boy— we must give him a gift. What shall I give Him, she pondered. Suddenly the Preacher's words during the previous Sunday service came to mind. “Forgive and you will be forgiven!” He had preached. 

Margaret quickly rose from her chair, picked up all the gifts to beautifully decorate them at the base of the tree. She then went to Don, who was out gardening. “Don,” she called out. Don walked towards her. When Don looked up at her, she said, “Don my forgiveness is incomplete. I still have something against the Fernandes family and that is weighing me down.” Don did not say a word; He only listened to what his wife said. 

Margaret finally said, “Don, this cannot continue, I must reconcile with them. I don't know if they have changed their ways, but I know I must live according to the spirit of Christmas. I must love and forgive.” Don smiled as he nodded, as he asked his wife, “What do you want to do Magaret?” Margaret was all excited as she said, “I will visit them like the old times with a box of Christmas sweets,” she said. She then looked at her husband’s face and asked him, “would you like to come along?” “Sure Magaret, let me drive you there.

They had enough time to visit the Fernandes family and get back before their children arrived. Margaret quickly dressed to go. On her way out, she grabbed the box of Christmas sweets, and she happily left with her husband Don to wish the Fernandes family a Merry Christmas.  

An hour later, when Magaret and Don drove back home, Margaret told her husband, “Wow! That felt good. The pain and burden are gone, I feel the freedom once again.” she said. Don smiled as e drove her back home. He nodded as he said, “people hurt us but we hurt ourselves more by holding onto the pain and anger, hatred and unforgiveness.” “I am glad we did what we did and I am sure this is going to be our best Christmas!”

How sad Christmas would be for Magaret if she continued to remain in unforgiveness. Everyone around would be joyful, but Magaret would not be able to partake of it. We become prisoners of hate when we choose not to forgive. Freedom comes when we truly forgive.  

Wish you a love-filled Christmas!