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PROGRAM D-7988
Since it’s very close to Christmas, I’m suggesting that we ask God for creative ideas on how we can use the celebration of Christmas to open some new doors of witnessing. Fran and Louise have caught that vision this year, and they’re planning a party at Fran’s house for their workplace friends.
In addition, Fran took a beautiful family crèche to her office in hopes that it would generate some conversations and questions that would offer opportunities to share the good news about Jesus, and it has done so already.
Janice is a co-worker that Fran hasn’t really gotten to know, but she showed an interest in Fran’s manger scene, which has led to a luncheon together. As they sit down to eat, Fran asks, “How does your family usually celebrate Christmas?”
“Oh, we just exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, like everyone else, I guess,” Janice says. “My kids have outgrown Santa Claus, but when they were little, that was a lot of fun.”
“Do you have any special programs at your church?” Fran continues to probe.
“Well, actually we don’t go to church, sorry to say,” Janice hangs her head a bit. “You see, my husband is an . . . atheist . . . or so he says. So we haven’t been to church since we’ve been married. I miss it; I used to go when I was kid, at least at Christmas and Easter.”
“Oh, that’s too bad,” Fran says. “I’d miss church, too, especially during Christmas. We have such beautiful programs at our church. In fact, if you’d like to, I’d be glad to pick you and the kids up for one of our concerts.”
Janice looks at Fran. “Well, I don’t think my husband would like that,” she says, then she hesitates. “You know, I don’t care whether he likes it or not. I would just love to go to church this Christmas.”
“Great,” Fran says, and they arrange the date and time. Then Fran says, “It’s interesting that your husband is an atheist but you are not, I gather.”
“No, I believe in God, and I want my kids to believe in God, too,” Janice says.
“Do you think they will, since their daddy doesn’t?” Fran asks.
“I doubt it,” Janice says sadly. “Philip, my twelve-year-old son, already makes jokes about Christians and church, just like his dad does. I don’t like it, but what can I say?”
“Yeah, I see what you mean,” Fran says. “Did you know your husband was an atheist when you married him?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t think it would make any difference,” Janice says. “But the longer I’m married, the more it bothers me. I want to be a religious person.”
“You know, Janice, the reason you feel that way is because we all have a great God-shaped void inside of us and he’s the only one who can fill it up,” and with that Fran has a marvelous opportunity to tell Janice how Jesus wants to make her more than a religious person, but a new person in Christ.
Reach out to someone new this Christmas, someone you don’t know so well on your job or in your neighborhood. You might be as surprised as Fran is to discover how easy it is to share the Gospel, especially during the Christmas season.