The passionate plea of Ebenezer Scrooge was “I repent. I repent” after he was visited by three ghost in the nightime who showed him the error of his ways. The evidence of that fervent confession was how he lived his life differently after making the statement. He began to be kind, charitable, merciful and benevolent. His forbearance with others demonstrated that something genuinely had changed within his heart. He experienced the Christmas repentance that is often needed and sometimes neglected during this time of year.
The Grinch experienced a Christmas repentance, and he too was different after his understanding was altered. When he observed the Whos of Whoville still singing their annual Christmas carol after losing all their external celebrations, his heart changed, and he repented. This becomes an example that even the most undesirable person in the community can live a different life because of repentance.
So, why repentance? Why should someone who is going in one direction do a “180” and go in the completely opposite direction? Why should there be a person who recognizes the “error of his or her ways” and change completely? If there is no other penalty than those imposed by the regulators in this life, then the penalty perhaps is nothing less than restrictive engagement with people, inability to function as free individuals, or incapacity for some of the finer pleasures in life. Right?
However, should there be, could there be one to whom each person will answer after this life is over and Christmas seasons and observances are no longer available, the chains that bound Ebenezer and the isolation and loneliness that encompassed the Grinch may well be the only reminder that in life one should have repented while his or her life was still to be had.
Until tomorrow...Why Say More?
Find the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, find locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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