You know the saying, “Four months between planting and harvest.” But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.

~John 4:35 NLT

All times are ripe for sharing God’s love, but Christmas is the perfect season for sharing the Christ of Christmas.

Our church has a ministry called Drive-Thru Prayer. We meet on Saturdays and set up signs and orange cones to direct traffic. Someone waves and greets the drivers passing on the street in front of our building. The rest of us wait for the cars to pull in.

We meet the most interesting people. They are humble strangers we’ve never seen before. A few want to thank us for being there. Some need help for a loved one. Many are already believers, but all are hungry enough to divert from their path to receive a touch from God.

Jesus Came

The strategy behind going outside our building to offer Drive-Thru Prayer reminds me of how Jesus left Heaven to offer Himself to us. God had formed a nation to bring Him into the world, and when the time was perfect, Christ was born.

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth, peace to those on whom his favor rests.

~Luke 2:16 NIV

God’s favor rested on us despite everything. He sent angels to announce His Son’s birth to shepherds in fields near Bethlehem, only a few miles from Jerusalem. I’ve heard this was where lambs chosen for sacrifice in the temple were bred. Because they had to be kept in perfect condition, the shepherds wrapped the lambs in swaddling cloths for protection from bruises and other damage.

What detailed clues God provided to confirm the identity of Jesus to anyone who pays attention.

Jesus Lived for Us

Once Jesus came, He never lived a day for Himself. He lived for us. He preached, healed, and traveled the roads on foot, making Himself available to people going about their lives. Jesus went out of His way for divine appointments, as He did for the woman at the well.

I find it exciting every time we set up for Drive-Thru prayer. We’ve met homeless people who showed up on foot and people driving Mercedes. One freezing afternoon, we led a weeping young man to Christ and prayed for people (or their loved ones) with diseases. One day, we met a car full of young missionaries from Utah who stopped to pray for us. Our sign-carrying roadside greeters pray for those in the passing cars, knowing that every one of us has a need.

It’s not our plan to solicit people for our church, but sometimes an invitation feels right. A young mother touched me when she seemed surprised. “You mean I can just come?”

Yes, of course, she could come. I hadn’t realized some people think churches are exclusive and not open to everyone. I’m so glad this one learned she was welcome. I’m glad we brought Jesus outside, even if it was just into the parking lot.

Ask God to show you opportunities to share the Christ of Christmas,

Father, show me opportunities to share and demonstrate the meaning of Christ’s birth with people You place in my path as I walk through this holy season. In Christ’s precious name, amen.

 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2024: Sharing the Christ of Christmas: Caroline Powers: All Rights Reserved