Dear Worshippers,
Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next week? I begin making preparations for Christmas productions in August or September, but every year it seems to come at me faster and faster. Does anyone else ever experience anything like that?
The fact that it’s beginning to sound and look like Christmas fills our hearts with a flood of emotions: excitement over the celebration of the birth of our Lord, mingled in with expectations, obligations, and over commitments. Underneath or behind all that is the real meaning of Christmas. The meaning that causes us to rejoice. It’s a lovely time, but also a hectic time.
The reality is that 3 weeks from Sunday our Christmas production will occur. Only a little over 3 weeks remain for you to invite someone to attend. They will hear the story of Christ’s birth woven together with a contemporary parallel that will bring the mystery of the Incarnation down to an accessible level. It’s a ready made “slow pitch.”
We have even written and provided the invitations for you. The only thing left for you to do is invite. But many people will not even do that. Why? Fear or rejection. Fear of the unknown. Fear.
Don’t be afraid! There is likely someone in your life that is desperate to hear that Jesus is not just the name of that baby in the manger, but also the name that holds the answers to the deepest longings in their souls. Don’t keep that powerful truth to yourself.
Take an invitation and write a simple note inside. For example, “This is an annual event in our church when we remember what all the fuss is really about this time of year. Will you take an hour out of your schedule to come with me [us] and enjoy some while thinking about that? I would be honored if you would join us for this. I’ll even pick you up! Let me know.”
Obviously, you should personalize your note, but you get the idea. Make it a personal invitation. Reach out with the love of Christ to those people maybe only you can reach. You will not be sorry.
Jesus, we know You are the reason for the this upcoming celebration, but many do not. Give us the courage to reach out to them with Your love so they too will realize there is no name like Yours.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy
No comments:
Post a Comment