Let’s be honest. Your faith makes you stand out.

Because of that, you can sometimes be reluctant to say things about your faith, Jesus, the church, or the Bible…

Or even the meaning of Christmas.

But I’d like to invite you to look for and seize those little moments to share the true importance of Christmas with others.

Feeling timid? Here’s some motivation.

Open Doors reports that in 2017 there were 20,000 people who were finally able to return to the town of Qaraqosh, Iraq after it was liberated from ISIS. A Christian woman reports that this year she is very excited to be able to decorate her home for Christmas publicly.

I don’t know about you, but I take it for granted that I can put up Christmas lights. To this woman in Iraq, that wasn’t even possible before.

She’s celebrating that she can simply celebrate.

To me, it’s a reminder that we should (a) celebrate our freedoms, and (b) appreciate and take advantage of the fact that we can openly speak about our faith and the true meaning of Christmas.

So I encourage you to look for those little opportunities when someone asks you what you’re doing for Christmas. Talk about the meaning behind some of your traditions, or special worship services, or an outreach or service project you’re involved in.

Be respectful. Be honest. And connect it back to the one who it’s all about: Jesus.

Speaking about Jesus coming into the world, John 1:4 says: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” As you think about the wonderful freedom you have to celebrate Jesus’ birth openly, will you give warmth, will you shine?

So look for those little opportunities to explain why you’re doing what you’re doing. Celebrate that you can celebrate.

Matthew Ruttan