We Wish Them a True Christmas

When Unbelieving Family Comes Over for Christmas, It Can Be Hard to Share the Gospel with Them

Christmas is a holiday meant to celebrate the birth of our savior, Jesus. Some people that don't believe that Jesus was Lord don't do Christmas, but others still party even in their unbelief. Both Christmas and Easter are major holidays, and both are celebrated around Jesus. But many unbelieving family members still celebrate these holidays, especially Christmas, and when they come over it is the perfect time to share the gospel with them. We don't want to be thumping them over the head with the gospel either, so what should we do?

When I am writing this, I am not writing from a place where I know nothing about having unbelieving relatives. My grandfather and some of my aunts and uncles don't believe, and most of my family on my dad's mom's side is Mormon. And when they come over, and I feel the Holy Spirit moving me to share the gospel with them, I know the fear that comes very well. But this Christmas when those unbelieving relatives come over, there isn't any need to launch into a speech about the gospel.

As Christians we need to talk to them from a place of love, and this means not attacking them. And with family this line gets even harder to see. But this Christmas, you don't need to stress about what you can say to lead them to Jesus. All you need to do is be God's light and worship Him and His great gift of Jesus openly. This could mean simply commenting here and there about how God has blessed you and thanking Him out-loud for Jesus. If you show genuine joy to be God's in front of your family, it could lead to questions about that, whether they are real questions or are questions created to mock Jesus.

If you want to do something more beyond commenting, you could make Christmas cards for your family and put memory verses on them. Here are a few you might think of writing.

"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

"And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38

Some might say making comments aren't enough, but it isn't up to us to know what is enough. We are not the ones who save. God is. We don't need to pressure ourselves with the weight of responsibility that we need to save them. That is not our job. Last night, I had a work party, and most all of them are not Christians. They use foul language all the time and talk inappropriately. But I never do the same, and they have noticed that. Some of them have even asked me about God because I am different and have hope. It is hard to make comments about God in front of people like that, but all I had to do was ask myself why wouldn't I talk about my God if I felt no shame and was grateful for Jesus?

These are some things that I do to share the gospel with my friends and family, but what do you do? Do you have any suggestions? Check out our weekly challenge to take action already to lead your family members to Christ!

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