The other day I woke up not feeling well at all..congested, headache, etc. I was aggravated because it felt like a cold was coming and it’s my favorite time of year..I did not want to be knocked out by a cold. Our go-to remedy is oregano oil..two drops under the tongue at the first sign of a cold will knock it right out. So I found the bottle and did the two drops, and sure enough about an hour later I was feeling much better, and by the end of the day I was symptom free.

I went to work and was telling a coworker about it and she got a very unhappy look on her face. She said, “I know I didn’t just hear that! You’ve watched me battle a cold for almost two weeks , but no, you never said a word to me about oregano!” And I stopped in my tracks and was so embarrassed! She was totally right! When it was her cold I was sympathetic and told her I hoped she felt better, several days in a row. BUT I NEVER told her about the cure I had! Not until it was MY cold did I decide to share what I knew!

Well guess what God said to me?? That He had noticed that was exactly how I treat His command to share the Gospel with the world! I was so eager to hear it when I was younger, and respond at age 8 to God’s moving me to accept Him and be saved through His blood. And throughout the years, as I have grown, slid back some, grown again, repeat..I have always been so grateful for His love and mercy. But my sharing with others? Sometimes really great, a lot of times sorely lacking. And unfortunately I am not alone.

It is so easy these days to see people suffering and do everything EXCEPT tell them about Jesus. Need clothes? We will donate. Medical bills out of control? We’ll set up a go fund me account and raise money. Can’t afford to pay your heat/ac bill? We’ll ask for benevolence money from a church. If we see those we know at church or at Walmart or at work that webknow are suffering, it is too easy to say “I’m praying for you”, maybe even give them a hug, move on, and not remember it past that night. And of course social media provides praying hands, etc to post on someone’s post and move on.

None of these things are bad, they are usually heartfelt expressions of our concern. But here’s the reality of the Christmas season..more people are receptive to the Gospel than any other time. Because Christmas music, ads, commercials, and everything else emphasizes how happy the season is, how happy everyone is, and that everyone is surrounded by family and friends. And scores of people around each one of us are NOT experiencing that. I have 5 friends this year that lost a parent. I have 3 friends that lost their husbands this year. I have 2 friends who have parents on hospice that may not make it to Christmas. And for all of them and their extended families, this is not a joyful time..it is a reminder of their losses, and it is full of grief. And then there are those from two hurricanes and one raging wildfire that are facing Christmas with nothing, no homes, no cars, etc.

These are the people we know, love, see in the store, or work with. And they need hope. Not superficial presents under the tree hope. Not Christmas party hope. Not decorations and pretty lights hope, or joy. They need Hope in the person of Jesus Christ! They need to know that there is a source of true comfort, true help, and true peace! Santa will never fix any of that..and they know it better than ever. They are hurting and realizing how cruel this world can be in ignoring them, which makes them open and receptive to the Good News of salvation!

One of my favorite Christmas carols is “Go, Tell It On the Mountain”..I have always loved the evangelical message behind it, and I look forward to singing it every year. But this year, in light of the rest of this post, it should probably say, “Go! Tell it in the suburbs, in the office, in Walmart!” Not as catchy, and doesn’t sing well, but it works! Why don’t we renew our commitment to doing that this Christmas? There are hundreds of opportunities during this time of year, and hundreds of people we will see that need Jesus..let’s make this the Christmas that we spend more effort in giving the Gift of Life than any other gift!