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PROGRAM D-7986
As we find ourselves swallowed up by our preparations for Christmas, it’s good to remember that Christmas holds no true meaning unless we know that Jesus came for one purpose: to die on a cross and rise again so that we could be redeemed from our sins.
I believe we have a great opportunity during the Christmas season to reach out to people with the good news of the Gospel because, typically, people are more open to talking about religious matters at this time of year. To illustrate this, I have another Fran and Jesus story in which Fran begins to see what she can do during this Christmas season to tell the story of Jesus—the whole story—to her friends at work.
She and her friend Louise are driving home from church this Sunday afternoon and Louise says, “Pastor’s sermon was very challenging, don’t you think, Fran?”
“You mean about finding ways to reach people during Christmas?” she responds. “Yeah, it made me think about what I could do at the office.”
“It just makes me sick the way Christmas is treated around there,” Louise comments. “I mean, nobody even mentions Jesus. It’s just an excuse for parties and drinking and . . .”
“Yeah, do you remember last year’s Christmas party?” Fran continues. “I left after dinner; it was too crazy for me.”
“I stayed awhile longer, but I wished I had left when you did,” Louise says. “Well, what do you think we could do to try to change that and make people see what Christmas is all about?”
“We could invite people to our church concert,” Fran says. “I did that last year and Andy brought his family. They really enjoyed the music.”
“That’s a good idea,” Louise says. “But there must be something we can do right in the office. . .”
“Oh, we’ll have to be careful,” Fran says, “or we’ll be accused of being politically incorrect!”
“Hey, Mom,” Drew pipes in from the back seat, “why don’t you and Louise have your own party at our house?”
“Well, hon, I don’t think. . .” Fran starts and then stops. “Drew, you know, that’s not a bad idea!”
“Actually, it’s a great idea, Drew,” Louise says. “Why don’t we, Fran? Then we can control what goes on, have some great fun, and somehow get the Gospel in.”
“Let’s do it, Louise,” Fran says with enthusiasm.
“And we’ll help, Mom,” Alice volunteers.
“You bet,” they agree.
All afternoon they plan the party, write the invitations, and then they pray that God will use it to help them tell the true story of Christmas.
What could you do to reach out during this Christmas season? It’s a great opportunity. Don’t let it get lost in the frenzy of celebrations.