Christmas Conversation #16: What are your best ideas for using Christmas to spur conversations about Jesus?

By Stacey Tuttle

Dear Cyber-Counselors at large,

Yesterday’s Shepherd Project Ministry question was how to give gifts that invited people to be curious about Jesus, even attracted to Jesus and how to avoid being pushy and turning people off to Jesus.  Good question…and good responses.  I have a lot to think about thanks to all of your input.  So, I’m seeking your input once again.  

Today’s SPM Christian Conversation question of the day has the same heart, but instead of focusing on the gifts we give, it centers around the conversations we have at Christmastime.  (Which is good, because yesterday’s question started me thinking about this very thing myself!)

Here is what I am wondering:  as we find ourselves in conversations with others during this season, at work, with neighbors, with family, even with strangers out and about, how do you gently turn those conversations into conversations about Jesus?  What are you ideas for ways to make these conversations inviting?  How do you work to keep the other person seeking more, rather than wishing they could escape another “pushy Christian”?  (Umm…should I confess that I have actually heard that others sometimes think that I am that kind of pushy Christian…can you believe that?!  I guess I need some help.)

I’m trusting you have some good ideas, guidelines, and personal experiences to share.  I could use some help AND some encouragement in this area. 

Anxiously awaiting your responses,

Clueless in Conversation

PS.  If you haven’t seen this video, I found it really challenging and encouraging.  One the one hand, I heard some of my well-intentioned but ill-executed comments through a non-Christian’s eyes.  Ouch!  But on the other hand it gave me hope that maybe sometimes when someone says they feel like I’m pushy, maybe they are still soaking in more than they act like.  It gives me hope that God is able to use my blunders in this area…but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to get better!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFzPYQzAKZY

Check out our other Christmas Conversations:

We have 25 different “conversations” going online and we’d love to hear your thoughts!  See the list below and add your two cents when and where you can, and benefit from the collective think tank as you go!

1. How do you keep the spirit of giving in your Cristmas shopping?
2. How do you bring Jesus into your shopping experience?
3. What do you think about Christmas music?
4. What’s the worst Christmas song and why?
5. What’s your best idea for using a Christmas movie to spark a conversation about Christ?
6. What’s the worst Christmas movie and why?
7. What’s the most meaningful Christmas tradition that your family has?
8. How do you get your kids attention (or even your own) off of the gifts you get?
9. How much is too much when it comes to giving your kids gifts for Christmas?
10. What are your favorite service-oriented things to do during Christmas?
11. Is Santa a naughty or nice Christmas tradition and why?
12. What Christmas traditions have you chosen not to follow, and what have you replaced them with?
13. If you’ve chosen to do Santa, how can you use him to point your kids to Jesus?
14. Do lighting displays add to or detract from the real meaning of Christmas?
15. What kinds of gifts can you give to non-Christian friends that make Jesus attractive?
16. What are your best ideas for using Christmas to spur conversations about Jesus?
17. Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas – Does it really matter?
18. Should we boycott stores based on Christian principles during the Holidays?
19. How do you deal with the Grinches in your life this Christmas?
20. How do you deal with Christmas as a joyous family time when family is hard? 
21. What do you know about the Biblical concept of hospitality and how do you apply that during the Christmas season?
22. How do you find spiritual refreshment in the midst of an exhausting season?
23. When do the excesses of Christmas cross the line from communicating the lavishness of God’s love for us to fostering excess, greed and pride?
24. How do you respond to feeling like someone else “does Christmas better” than you?
25. What is the most meaningful Christmas memory you have?