Then my thoughts turned to the person who had in effect killed Alan and I thought gosh, it's Christmas Day, a holy night, and I thought what would Alan have done. He was better at forgiveness than me. Scrooge feels ashamed when the Ghost uses his own words against him. We see him beginning to wish he could change. Brothers and sisters, at this Christmas season, let us all give the best gifts. Let us sacrifice with grateful hearts our favorite toys—not the ones we’ve worn out. And let us give the gift of love, the gift of service to those around us, and the true gift of forgiveness. For as we repent, the Holy One of Israel forgives us. I testify that He lives. He is the King of kings, the Prince of Peace, our Savior, our Redeemer, and our Friend. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. It is an added challenge if the person who offended us has not asked for forgiveness, and we are tempted to hold all his injustices against him. That year, as I gave one of my favorite toys, I understood a little better our Heavenly Father’s gift to us—His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who lovingly and selflessly gave His life for us.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. … After a while they played at forfeits; for it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself. Good as these tests are, there is a greater one. True love sacrifices for the loved one. … That is the final test. Christ gave of Himself, gave His life, for us, and thereby proclaimed the reality of his love for his mortal brethren and sisters.” 3At Christmastime, I think of the missionaries—elders, sisters, senior missionaries, and mission presidents throughout the world—who, as representatives of Jesus Christ, give freely of their time and service to all mankind. I think of all the brothers and sisters who spend many hours serving faithfully in their callings. Also at this time, I think of all the men and women serving in the military to ensure our safety. Thank you for your service!

Dear God, I have a resentment towards a person that I want to be free of. So, I am asking you to give this person everything I want for myself. Help me to feel compassionate understanding and love for this person. I pray that they will receive everything they need. Thank you, God, for your help and strength with this resentment.” Theresa May has asked Santa for a home makeover this year. First thing on the list was a new Cabinet! Perhaps it is no surprise that Winterson should produce a volume of short stories inspired by the season, given that her own experience reads like a grim parody of the miracle birth. The constant refrain throughout her autobiographical novel, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, was her mother’s assertion that “the Devil led us to the wrong crib”; and these feelings are sublimated into Winterson’s Christmas tale “The Lion, the Unicorn and Me”. The story is a retelling of the nativity from the donkey’s point of view, in which the ass receives a snout of gold, having nuzzled against the foot of an angel perched on the stable roof. In her memoir, Winterson made it clear what this signified: “I was the runty little donkey. I needed a golden nose.”

For a long time, Mother kept trying to get her to say, “I forgive my son.” Finally, just before the woman died, she was able to say the words with real forgiveness .