Christmas is the perfect time to spread the Word of Christ!
When would be a better time to tell others than a holiday centered on celebrating His birthday that is recognized around the world?
It’s a perfect gift to deliver to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! And there are so many ways to do it!
Here are a few suggestions for your Christmas Evangelism:
Christmas Evangelism
Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes
If you’re not a professional missionary stationed in Africa, India, Bosnia and the like, how can you and your family reach lost and forgotten children? Shoeboxes!
2016 was our first Christmas to participate in Operation Christmas Child, and we had a great time doing it. I had collected various things like pencils, crayons and unopened kid’s meal toys for a couple of years fully intending to complete a shoebox for a child, and instead kept it all in another box in my basement.
The bright side to that was I only had to buy a few things to make 3 boxes with my children this year! It was a learning lesson in unselfishness for my kids (which is a hard lesson to learn as humans) as they picked out gifts they would like to get without actually receiving them themselves (if you’re counting, I do only have two children on earth, but another one in heaven and we did a tribute box for him.)
Here is a link of suggestions about how to build a complete shoebox.
Once you’ve completed your box, and paid for the shipping ($9 per box), you’ll drop it off at a collection site during Samaritan’s Purse Nation-Wide Collection week. It is usually the 3rd week of November. Here is a link so you can find the closest drop-off center.
The shoebox will then go to a processing center where Samaritan’s Purse will check the boxes to make sure that they are filled only with appropriate things for children, and pass on the message of the gospel, which as you know has both earthly and eternal benefits.
This is an excellent way to teach your children to evangelize to others, giving selflessly, and biblical obedience.
We created boxes based on the ages of our children in the 5-9 age range, but please consider creating a box for the 2-4 or 10-14 year age range as they do not have as many donations.
Here are the contents that we added:
(These pictures are from the first year that we built shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse. They no longer let you give candy or toothpaste.)
I love OCC Shoeboxes because it lets you evangelize to someone far away, and also teaches children to evangelize and give.
What goes in a shoebox? Here’s some ideas. If you’d rather they build it for you (you can choose the items), you can do that here (it’s $25).
Something that I have only recently considered was including a letter and a picture if you can. I like Operation Christmas Child on Facebook, and they often showcase stories of children (who are sometimes now adults) who have received shoeboxes and how much they enjoyed seeing and reading a letter from the one who God used to fill their boxes.
Evangelistic Christmas Letter
Sending Christmas cards is a long standing tradition for many people. There are beautiful, glittery cards with elaborate art and perhaps even a Bible verse about the coming of our LORD Jesus. Additionally, some people send a written message about their family’s achievements throughout the year.
It’s great!
I love getting to catch up on my loved one’s lives even when we can’t meet up.
But what if you also (or instead) sent a message of salvation through Jesus in your yearly Christmas card?
Christmas is the BEST time to send a message about each individual’s need for saving and God’s provision for salvation through Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. But knowing what exactly to write can be a little difficult.
Here you can find a cool English and Spanish version of a free printable Christmas card and matching evangelism letter to include in your card!
And, thanks to my very dear friend, Teresa, it is also available in Spanish, and it is also FREE when you click above!
If you can’t send something to everyone, just select a few households, and let the list grow each year. Your friends and family are your mission field. Even if they already know and have a personal relationship with Christ, you can spur them on to spread the gospel to their sphere of influence as well.
Also, consider sending a little gift inside the Christmas cards. One year, I sent our cards out with enough little keychain fobs from Wendy’s for a free Jr. Frosty all year for each family member. I think they are about $2 apiece and are typically available for purchase at your local Wendy’s between Thanksgiving and the end of January. Spiritual gifts sent with physical gifts really emphasize that you love and care for the recipients of your Christmas letter. Plus it doesn’t add additional postage as long as you stay under 1 oz.
Deliver Home Baked Treats & Tracts
Maybe writing letters isn’t your thing. You prefer personal interaction. Great! Consider delivering Christmas cookies or better yet – bread! Yes, bread. Jesus is the bread of life. It’s the perfect visual aid to discuss our LORD, and it’s both tasty and filling.
John 6:48 says, “I am the bread of life.”
Bring them fresh-from-your-oven bread. Here’s a bread machine recipe that has served me well. No bread machine? Check your local thrift store. I got mine for $10 several years back, and it has been a faithful friend in the kitchen. Don’t forget some yummy butter.
Download the printable Bread Machine White Sandwich Bread Recipe here.
When you drop it off, be sure to tell them about the Bread of Life, and how He can make you live forever. In my part of Kansas the whole gift would cost about $2 plus gas to drive there. Of course for a little bit more, you could always just pick up a tasty loaf from the store on your way out, too.
