A Light Beyond the Decorations: Sharing the Gospel During The Holiday Season

One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season is to drive around and see all the different decorations people have put up outside their houses. I love seeing all the lights, inflatables, and wreaths hung up so delicately. As I drive past house after house, every so often I see a nativity scene or scripture verse. Amidst all the houses with Santas and turkeys, there are little hints of the true meaning of the holiday season.

It seems harder and harder to find people who give thanks to God on Thanksgiving or celebrate the birth of Christ on Christmas. I'm fortunate enough to have family that celebrates this with me, but many do not. The holidays can be a bittersweet time for many people, especially those who have lost loved ones or have a suffering relationship with their family. What many consider "the most wonderful time of the year" can actually be the hardest time of the year. While most have forgotten the true meaning of the holidays, we have the choice to share God's love and truth with those around us. For many, this is difficult as family members aren't open to religion. So, how can we, as Christians, effectively share the gospel during the holiday season? Let's talk about it.

For some, the holidays mean sitting around a table arguing about politics or religion. As Christians, it can be difficult to navigate between being a witness for Christ and starting a conversation that quickly develops into everyone shouting at each other. Witnessing to our family can be very simple. It could look like praying before you eat, sharing that you are thankful for the birth and death of Christ, or even going to church when no one else in your family does. Before going to family events, it's important to take some time to evaluate your past attempts to share the gospel. Was there a specific subject that triggered a response in a family or friend? Could this be avoided? What was your attitude during the conversation? Were you prideful or harsh? In addition, it's important to look at how their response affected you. Did something they say trigger an emotional response in you? What was your main goal? When we are in evangelistic conversations, we tend to focus more on winning an argument than sharing the gospel.

Additionally, we tend to think that we need only to pray for others during evangelism. While that is important, we must remember to pray for ourselves as well. We should pray that God would guide our words and interactions, that we would remain calm and humble, and that God would grant us the boldness to speak, yet the gentleness to listen. Taking this time to pray, reflect, and listen to God's direction may grant you a new strategy or point of view as you prepare to visit your family or friends.

When it comes to sharing the gospel this holiday season, perhaps it would be beneficial to start with your weaknesses or shortcomings. 1 Timothy 1:15 says, "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” Unlike past cultures, our culture today tends to embrace brokenness. When we share our own brokenness, like Paul, we allow Christ's light to shine through us. If we haven't been the best child, if our grades haven't been great, if we've got into some stuff we shouldn't have, or if we've hurt a relationship, it is best to admit it. Most of our families know us very well. Perhaps we can be a witness to Christ by saying, "I know I've messed up this year, but God is changing me. He forgives me, and I pray that you will forgive me too." While admitting your weakness may seem ineffective, Paul says in verse 16, "But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life." By doing this, we demonstrate to others our dependency on Him. When we show others how Christ is working in us, we become a perfect witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Another effective way to share the gospel this holiday season could be to demonstrate gratitude. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, it seems only fitting that we mention this. We have an incredible opportunity to credit God for the blessings we have been given. One of these blessings is our family. Yes, we all have those family members who get on our nerves, but we can be a witness to them by loving them and showing appreciation for them. Start by giving thanks to your family for all they have done for you over the years, big or small. It is easy to assume that people know we are thankful for them, but we can witness to them by being abundant in our thankfulness to them. In Daniel 6:10, it reads "Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before." This Thanksgiving, we should be loud about our gratitude to God, in front of others, just like Daniel. Don't be shy to thank God publicly for how He has blessed you and for the blessing He is to you. Through our shouts of thanksgiving, we can testify to His works and His character.

Finally, speak with boldness and confidence this holiday season. At the end of the big turkey day, Jesus' word remains the same in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." While we should be nice and respectful towards our family and their dynamics, we should still share the Gospel with boldness. Salvation is nothing short of a miracle. It is the biggest reason we have to be thankful this Thanksgiving. We serve a God who sent His one and only son to die on the cross so that we could have a relationship with Him. A God who is holy and matchless. A loving and just God who seeks out the hearts of sinners like us.

So, start to think of the unbelievers in your life and pray for them by name. Ask the Lord to open their hearts toward the gift of salvation and to empower you through His Spirit to speak in truth and love. Invite other Christian families or friends to join you in praying for them. Boldly proclaim your faith in the crucified and risen Lord with confidence that He can save them. We would all love to see our family and friends come to know Christ as an immediate result of our witnessing to them. Yet, we must remember that evangelism is a process that takes time and often more than one interaction. Our witnessing may just be a small part of their salvation story. We were once lost too, and now we are searching for ways to share the joy we've found in Christ. Perhaps, a member of your family will be looking to do the same next year.

May your roots run deep, and your faith remain strong! As always, Stay Rooted, my friends! <3