Vantage
point
Five
ways to share your faith at Christmas
Believers
share a special camaraderie at Christmastime, but the season is
also full of opportunities to build bridges outside our circle
of Christian friends. Though we lament its commercialization,
this holiday provides easy ways to share our faith. Here are five.
1. Sing carols.
This
is a time when even unbelievers will sing, or at least hear, songs
of spiritual truth. Traditional Christmas carols become part of
people’s lives regardless of their spiritual state. It’s
hard to imagine an unbeliever willingly listening to or singing
the words of powerful hymns or choruses. But think how powerful
these words are: “Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let
earth receive her King.” Carols are filled with biblical
truth.
2. Read the Christmas
story.
In many
family gatherings, believers and those not serving the Lord mingle.
This is a powerful opportunity for faith-sharing on a casual basis.
Reading the Christmas story from Matthew 1, 2 and Luke 2 is a
nonthreatening way of doing this.
3. Attend a pageant
or living nativity.
Nearly
every community has access to excellent productions. I believe
you will be pleasantly surprised at who will agree to go with
you to one of these. It is much less threatening than a typical
church service.
4. Give something to
someone who can’t repay you.
Exchanging
gifts is what we do mostly. True giving to a needy family or child
will be blessed doubly when you give in the name of Jesus, expecting
nothing in return.
5. Slow down and touch
a life.
While
people are rushing about, there are those who will be blessed
if you take time with them. Determine that you will not be jaded
by the holiday festivities. Instead, look for a way to touch people,
listen to them, care about them … and show them the true
meaning of the season.
Christians often take for granted
the abundant opportunities available to us each December to share our faith.
Let’s make the season count by not getting so caught up in the holiday
swirl that we miss those opportunities.
In this issue our staff open their
hearts and share with you some of their most memorable Christmas moments.
— Ken Horn
E-mail your comments to pe@ag.org.
