Protecting the Gospel this Christmas
This is Joey. He played a shepherd in this year’s Christmas play at church, and today he is going to teach us a few things :) A few Sunday’s ago Joey asked me to pray with him at the altar during the end of our church service. This isn’t uncommon. We happen to sit right be our altar every Sunday, so he is used to seeing us and others use this place of prayer every week. I’m truly thankful to attend a church that makes this a normal occurrence. I see the fruit as my children unapologetically run to the altar each week
We usually pray for those that are sick, ask for forgiveness (Lord, YES!), and pray for safety for those that we love. I let Joey pray first and then I was going to follow him. But this week he prayed that we would “protect the Gospel” this Christmas season. These were his words not mine. I was silent. I mean — how do you follow that? He looked up at me and said, “Mom are you gonna pray?” I think I said something like, “You said it all bud!” And then I went back to my seat and cried.
How did such a young boy make such a profound statement? Truthfully, he had probably heard it from someone and repeated it. But his words pierced straight through my heart. He was right. We must protect the Gospel, especially during the Christmas season.
Let’s be honest — Christmas can feel chaotic. Each year it gets busier and busier. The Christmas programs, dress-up days at school, church activities, Christmas shopping, work travel all make this season CRAZY! But let’s pause for a minute and see how we can protect the Gospel this Christmas.
Chase after Peace
The enemy knows if he can’t distract me or bring about calamity, then he makes me so busy that I have completely pushed out the real reason behind the season. Peace is something you have to chase sometimes. It’s easy to think peace should just fall upon us. But that’s not how it works. We have to be intentional in chasing after peace because we live in a fallen world. And the enemy wants to strip us from living in the peace of celebrating our Savior. How do you draw peace from Jesus? Well, He is called the “Prince of Peace” after all (Isaiah 6:9). So were going to chase after Him! It’s truly simple. Just spend time with Him in prayer, Scripture, and worship. That is literally the peace from Heaven.
2. Treasure the Story in Your Heart
I love reading the Christmas story in Luke. It’s the most detailed account we have of Jesus’ birth. Luke 2:19 says, “But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.” I love this statement. This was right after the angels had announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds and they “hurried” off to find Mary, Joseph, and the baby. I picture young Mary just smiling while thinking about what God had done through her. I like to think that maybe she was taking mental pictures of what was unfolding around her. She was treasuring those moments.
I want to treasure this story. I want my kids to treasure this story. I want them to meditate on it, and think about what all God has done for them. Y’all, we must keep the Gospel fresh in our hearts and minds. We can do that by reading the scripture, remembering the words, and truly treasure the story we have been given.
3. Celebrate!
Protecting the Gospel is not all work. It is FUN! We have so much to celebrate! Mary celebrated! She celebrated the pregnancy of Elizabeth when she went to meet her in Luke 1:39-45. She celebrated with praise in Luke 1:46-56 (Go read it!!). We should let excitement pour out of us. What does that look like practically? Go see your family! Have the Christmas parties! But don’t forget to engage in the activities that point to the One that saves!
4. Give the Gospel Away
The next way we can protect the Gospel is to simply give it to others. We pass it on. This is the perfect season to tell others about the story of Jesus. I also think we need to acknowledge challenges others are facing.
Be concerned with becoming the instrument through which God accomplishes His purposes. Mary said in Luke 1:38 after the angel announced Jesus’ birth, “I am the Lords servant.” She willingly submitted to God’s will in her own fear. Imagine what would happen if we look for ways to be “the Lord’s servant.”
Servanthood is not busyness. Don’t confuse the two. Servanthood is submitting to God’s purposes and seeking out ways to be His instrument. You don’t have to be anymore busy to be God’s instrument. You use the situations and places He has you right now to recognize missional opportunities. Find a way to give to someone else this Christmas. Even if it doesn’t make sense (especially if it doesn’t make sense).
Joey probably had no clue what would become of his words at the altar the other day. He may not have fully grasped what he was saying. But it’s a message I needed to hear, and maybe you did too. This isn’t the only way to protect the Gospel. There are many things we can do. But I’m praying we focus on these to help us protect the Gospel this Christmas.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! I can’t wait to share some amazing updates with you all soon :)
