How Not to Share the Gospel at Christmas

Gospel Incarnation

During the Christmas season, you're going to be around friends, fellow workers, or family members who know nothing of Christ, know nothing of what this story is about, know nothing of their need for a Savior. It's tempting to be preachy. But people don't come to your house for a Christmas party to hear you preach at them.

Make your life preach so that you have the opportunity to tell the story.

I think there are ways that we can share the gospel that are offensive, and maybe, lack the themes of the mercy of this story.

What I would suggest is that you do everything you can to incarnate the love of Jesus in your responses to people? How about being an example of his mercy, his grace, his forgiveness?

There is a moment in 1 Peter 3 where it talks about someone coming to a believer, asking him about the hope that is in him—a person needing evangelism going to the evangelist. Why? Because they've seen something in his life.

Come, Let Us Adore Him

Paul David Tripp

Thirty-one daily readings from Paul David Tripp equip us to do the one thing that matters most each December—celebrating the glory of the incarnation of God's Son.

Wouldn't it be wonderful at Christmas for you to live such a beautiful, loving, gracious life that someone would say to you, "What makes you tick? You're so patient, you're so kind, you're so loving." That would be a platform for talking about the coming of Jesus to somebody who actually is hungry to hear the message.

Make your life preach so that you have opportunities to tell the story.

Paul David Tripp (DMin, Westminster Theological Seminary) is a pastor, an award-winning author, and an international conference speaker. He has written numerous books, including Lead; Parenting; and the bestselling devotional New Morning Mercies. His not-for-profit ministry exists to connect the transforming power of Jesus Christ to everyday life. Tripp lives in Philadelphia with his wife, Luella, and they have four grown children.