Christmas Gospel Segues
by Jeanne Gowen Dennis
At Christmastime it would be a natural thing to tell others why we celebrate Jesus, but I think we all find it hard to share the gospel. We have the best news in the world. If we could make the gospel message part of our natural conversation, it should provide some openings to tell the good news. Below, I have provided some examples of Christmas segues for directing conversations towards the gospel.
Prepare First
- Make sure you pray and ask God for direction and the words He wants you to say to the people He chooses. Only the Holy Spirit can draw someone to salvation. Our job is to tell. God’s job is to save. Ask Him ahead of time to soften people’s hearts.
- Don’t be surprised if you are rejected or ridiculed for your faith. Jesus said, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also” (John 15:20 NASB).
- Remember your witness may be one part of the process God is using to bring someone to saving faith. “So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth” (1 Cor. 3:7 NASB).
- Realize your efforts are worthwhile, even if people reject them.
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
And do not return there without watering the earth
And making it bear and sprout,
And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” (Isa. 55:10–11 NASB)
Christmas Conversation Gospel Segues
Here are some ideas for how you can guide Christmas conversations toward gospel presentations:
While discussing gifts
“The gift I’m most grateful for is the salvation I have in Jesus. Have you ever thought about what an amazing thing it was for God to give His Son for you and me?”
When someone wishes you “Happy Holidays”
“Thank you so much, but I prefer ‘Merry Christmas’ because I’m celebrating the birth of Jesus. Do you know why the Bible calls Him Emmanuel? It means ‘God with us.’” From here you can proceed to telling about His virgin birth.
While discussing Christmas trees
“Christmas trees always remind me of the tree Jesus died on to save me from my sins. He died to save you too. Have you ever wondered why Jesus chose to die such a horrible death?”
While discussing the materialism rampant at Christmastime
“Yes, all the gifts and toys satisfy us for a short time, but then don’t we always crave the next new thing? Deep down we long for something more genuine and permanent. I’ve actually found joy and fulfillment in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. You can have that too.”
While discussing Santa Claus
“Santa Claus traditions are a lot of fun, but we all know they can’t give us the true joy, peace, and loving acceptance we long for. I’ve found all of that and more in Jesus Christ. He wants you to have it too.”
At Christmas dinner
“You know the meal I’m looking forward to most of all? It’s the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven. But only those who believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be able to attend. I’d like for all of you to be there with me. Let me tell you about what the Bible says about salvation.”
When you see mistletoe
“The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is a sweet one, especially for couples in love. It reminds me of the greatest love of all, the love I experience every day in my relationship with Jesus Christ. “God loved the world so much He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.”
During preparations for anything related to Christmas
“Isn’t it fun to prepare this for others to enjoy? I appreciate all you’re doing. Did you know Jesus said He’s preparing a place for all believers to enjoy with Him in heaven? I’m so looking forward to living forever with Him there and finally seeing Him face to face. Wouldn’t you like to be there too?”
Only One Way
Any of these conversations could lead to someone saying he or she believes all people get to heaven their own way. Then you can quote what Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Then explain why Jesus is the only way.
These are just a few examples of how you can turn ordinary Christmas conversations into presentations of the gospel. I hope these help you find other ideas for Christmas gospel segues.
Unsure of How to Present the Gospel?
If you’re unsure of how to present the gospel, I have provided some links below to help you do that. If you’re saved, you know the gospel in your heart. Just tell it. Here’s one way:
God created everything and then made mankind for fellowship with Himself. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, disobeyed and broke fellowship with God. Since then all of us have sinned against the holy God. We’ve broken at least one of the Ten Commandments.
For example, we might have lied, stolen, lusted, used God’s name disrespectfully, coveted what belongs to others, worshipped ourselves or something else rather than God. Sin against God resulted in death for all humankind. But even from the beginning, God had a plan to save us from our sin.
The sacrificial system in the Old Testament foreshadowed the final perfect sacrifice for sin. At the right time, the time we celebrate at Christmas, God sent His only begotten Son through a virgin’s womb. Jesus lived a sinless life and died on the cross to completely pay the penalty for our sin. When He rose on the third day, God showed He accepted that sacrifice.
Jesus conquered sin and death. He offers us eternal life as a free gift when we believe and turn to Him in repentance. It’s a miraculous thing God does in us, not something we do ourselves.
God gives us a new nature when we believe. Then we are no longer slaves to sin. We still have problems. We still sin, but He is faithful to forgive us when we confess our sins. God helps us grow more like Jesus every day as we submit our lives to Him.
My life has totally changed since God saved me. God forgave all my sins, and I have the peace, love, and joy only He can give.
What about you? Are you tired of your life the way it is? Wouldn’t you like to have new life in Jesus?
This is just one example of how to tell the good news of Jesus Christ. Here are some links that might help you as well:
Some Links with information about sharing the gospel:
Sharing Your Faith 101 from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
How to Witness to Family Members video with Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron, Way of the Master
How to Share the Gospel with Post-Everything People by Caleb Crider, IMB
Mistakes We Make in Sharing the Gospel by Ken Whitten, NAMB
The ABCs of Salvation is Not the Gospel by Aaron Earls, LifeWay
How Can We Have Courage to Share the Gospel with Others? by Ken Ham, Answers in Genesis
How to Share the Gospel with Love podcast with Ravi Zacharias and Michael Rasmsden, RZIM
Preaching the Gospel in Today’s Society by Russell Grigg, Creation.com
I’m praying you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and that all those you love will hear and believe the gospel and experience everlasting life with Jesus.
Jeanne Gowen Dennis © 2019
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