But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22,23)

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Christmas is not always Currier-and-Ives-like memories. Quite the contrary, the Holidays and the people with which we must associate can trigger memories that are troubling if not traumatic. Can we maintain a genuine “merry” Christmas?

Here’s a solution: follow Jesus’ precepts.

Love conquers trauma and the fear associated with it. The enemy of our souls has sought to trouble us with memories of our past, of others’ sins against us, and our own sin. But when we yield to the forgiveness extended to us through Jesus our Savior we can rise above the tendencies to fear.

Are there people in your life with whom you must rub shoulders during the holidays whereby even the mention of their names is a trigger for pain and anger? Re-program this trigger with a simple solution that changes everything: pray for them. It doesn’t mean you are happy with them. It doesn’t mean that they are exonerated from the pain they have caused. It doesn’t mean there are not consequences. It only means that those consequences have been handed over to Jesus. And you get to go free. This Christmas can be a merry one for you, my friend.

Father,

Even when I hear the mention of the name of my enemy, I am troubled with sadness, grief, and acute anger. But I have already forgiven them as you have commanded me, and you never ask me to do anything that is above my pay grade. As I have issued forgiveness, I have placed them in your hands. Now every time their name comes to mind, every time somebody mentions that name to me, I shall breathe this prayer:

“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.

Father, I bless them in Your Name.

Father, I receive your healing and recompense for the wrong done towards me.

Father, I set myself free from the trap of the enemy.

Father, Thank you that I walk about in freedom now.”

Grant me a truly Merry Christmas.

In Jesus’ Name Amen