Sharing Christ-message
Peter Morphy

I don’t remember ever meeting a fellow Christian who said that they didn’t want any more people to be saved.  Deep in the heart of every disciple is the desire that others would follow Jesus.  We’re just not very consistent in making this ambition a part of our daily life.  Sometimes we believe people aren’t interested in talking about the Bible or they’re too busy with other things, other times we just don’t know what to say. 
Christmas is an annual opportunity to engage people in the story of Christ.  I know some groups go to the extreme with live theatre productions, decorated Christmas trees, manger scenes with real infants and a variety of animals from the local farm.  I also know some are at the other end of the spectrum, refusing to talk about Jesus during the Christmas season.  I’ve even heard some well-meaning brothers rebuke the church and our visitors on Sunday morning for talking about Jesus’ birth in the month of December.
I’m not advocating a specific position that a church, family or individual needs to affirm regarding Christmas.  But here are some things to think about. If we want to talk to people about Jesus, does it not make sense to dialogue with them when they are most interested?  Does the Christmas season provide a unique opportunity, whether initiated by our friends and family or by us, to share “the reason for the season” and “the Christ of Christmas” ?
WORDS  -  Many people are more interested in getting together with family, buying presents and guessing what they’ll be getting than they are in thinking about Jesus.  That’s true for unbelievers as well.  However, we can initiate a conversation with people by talking about the Christ of Christmas from a religious perspective, the historical evidence, or even the political debate that surrounds Christmas.  We can ask people if they’re planning to attend worship, details about their childhood religion, or what they believe about Jesus or God’s gift of salvation to us.  If we pray for opportunities and seek open doors, we should be able to plant a few seeds this December.
WORSHIP  -  The Barna Group, a religious statistician company in the U.S., reports that 45% of those who don’t usually go to church will attend somewhere around Christmas.  If a few people in your “friends list” are planning to worship somewhere this Christmas, could it not be with you?  Some churches encourage their members to invite friends and family to worship and print simple invitations.  The Sunday sermon doesn’t have to be focused on the birth of Jesus, but it could include the purpose of His life.  Consider using a catchy sermon title like “Christmas Presence,” “God’s Gift to Us,” “Christmas is For-Giving,” “Unwrapping Christmas,” “Outside the Box,” “Cribs,” “Mary Christmas,” “A Way In A Manger,” “Coming Home,” “Save the Gift,” or “Christmas Lights.”  Some churches also include a potluck lunch following the morning worship.
WORK  -  Over the years we’ve planned a variety of events around the month of December that were a blessing to the church and our community.  (1) Host a kids Christmas party on a Saturday afternoon with games, snacks, presents and photo with Santa.  In addition to providing a fun afternoon and friendship we also have a brief devotional, give information about the church and get their name and address so we can deliver the photo and follow up later.  Try to invite some lower-income families that will really appreciate it.  (2) Cooking a Christmas dinner and serving it a few days before Christmas and inviting the community to the church.  This could be done on a Saturday afternoon or following morning worship.  The church buys and cooks the turkey and everything else is potluck style.  (3) Offer free childcare on a Saturday before Christmas at the church building.  This gives parents a chance to shop or just go out on a date.  The kids program could include a Christmas theme, Bible story/crafts, Bible videos and food with Christmas treats.  (4) Prepare Christmas food baskets to give out to those who can’t afford a dinner.  Give paper bags to the members with a list of groceries to purchase (the Christmas meal, but no meat – about $15), fill the bag and return to the building the following week.  The church purchases the turkeys and members deliver to those who need it.  You can get names of people who would appreciate a Christmas dinner basket from members, past benevolence requests, local food pantries or put an advertisement in the local paper.  (5) Go out one evening Christmas caroling in a seniors centre or through the neighborhood close to the building.  Hand out some Christmas cookies or candy along with information about activities or an invitation to a sermon series coming up at the church.
Most of these events are at the church building so people can know where you are, come inside and look around, and meet some wonderful Christians.  Yes, we’ll have to involve our friendliest and kindest people to greet our neighbors.  The key to a successful event is: (a) good planning and making it the best you can with what you have available; (b) making sure people are invited, preferably members talking to family and friends; and (3) following up with the guests who came.  The more we do events like these the better we get at it.  The more we do events like this the more people will get to know we’re in the neighborhood and that we are actively serving, caring and loving the people in our community.  Also be prepared for a little criticism from members or other churches.
If you think it’s a little late to plan something for your community this Christmas, it’s not too early to begin thinking about Easter, Thanksgiving or next Christmas.  In addition to these annual traditions, there may be other opportunities when people may be thinking about God and want to talk about their questions, concerns and fears.  Sometimes it’s an international event: a natural disaster strikes, a trusted leader is caught in immoral activity, the economic downturn, crime, terrorism and war.  Other times it is much more close and personal: the kids are rebelling, we’re headed for divorce, I’ve been laid off, my friend has terminal cancer, or a close relative dies.  Sometimes people need to talk about their feelings.  They need someone to pray for them.  Sometimes they’ve got questions, occasionally their looking for help, wisdom, strength, forgiveness or salvation.
God has given us a gift of salvation to share with others.  Let’s not hold it under wrap or keep it only for ourselves. Open it up, get out of the box and give it away.  Keep praying that God will give us wisdom and courage to share the blessings of Jesus whenever opportunities arise.