The Candy Cane Puzzle
Christmas is a time that brings with it great opportunity to share the gospel as the entire season is LITERALLY about CHRIST. First recorded in the year 1038, the word’s original meaning is “Christ’s Mass” referring to the church service where the birth of Christ was celebrated. So whatever you may hear, know that yes - this is distinctly about Jesus - and everyone knows that even when they try to deny it.
As we move through this season, make effort to say “Merry Christmas” to others as you go throughout your day (and use one of the Candy Cane Puzzle Tracts). If you have more than a passing moment, expand on the simple “Merry Christmas” with one of the “scripts” below. As always, think of it as a “script that’s not a script.” Meaning: know the content and share it conversationally, not mechanically or robotically. Don’t feel the need to quote it with word for word precision.
More than anything - use this season as an opportunity to turn conversation to Christ. As believers, who are (as we saw in John 1 yesterday, watch the sermon here) committed to bringing people to Jesus like Andrew did in John 1:42 – He brought him to Jesus. So during December:
• Say Merry Christmas constantly
• Give out Candy Cane Puzzles (or other tracts)
• Keep your radar on, look for opportunities for conversations
Here are three “Scripts” you can use as the opportunity presents itself!
Script 1 - short & simple.
Note: When someone says “Happy Holidays” to you, don’t assume they’re a pagan trying to celebrate some sort of Druid holiday. That’s obviously possible, but very unlikely. Simply smile, hand them a candy cane, and reply:
Merry Christmas! I hope/pray that the annual celebration of the coming of Jesus, the Savior of the world brings you to a place of peace and joy in your life this season!
Script 2 - 60-90 seconds.
If you’ve had any form of pleasant interchange with someone, whether the cashier at Home Depot, someone at the table next to you while having breakfast at your favorite coffee shop, or even on the phone with a service technician scheduling something, whether they say “Merry Christmas,” or something else, you can bring up the following as you hand them a Candy Cane:
Well Merry Christmas! - do you know why we say “Merry Christmas in the first place? It dates back a letter written in the 1500s when the song “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” was popular. In England, they say “Happy Christmas” because Queen Elizabeth felt like “merry” implied the idea of a more unrestrained party-like atmosphere instead of the more reserved term, “Happy.” Of course, since we’re celebrating the coming of the Savior of the World, unrestrained joy and celebration seems appropriate, doesn’t it? So Merry Christmas to you. May this season draw you closer to Jesus.
Script 3 - A couple of minutes or longer.
If you feel like more of a conversation is do-able, then see where you’re able to take the conversation.
Use elements from the first two scripts:
• December is our culture’s annual celebration of the coming of Jesus, the Savior of the world. Even when all of the “trappings” of the term Christmas are removed, we all still know we’re celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
• Even Santa Claus is (increasingly loosely, it seems) based on a real person, Nicholas of Myra who was a Christian and gave away his wealth to help others, especially children in need.
• “Merry,” rather than “happy” is certainly appropriate, because the coming of salvation, forgiveness, and new life in Christ is absolutely a reason for unrestrained celebration.
• The simple phrase “He was born to die that we might have life” contains the gospel. Use that phrase, then unpack it with further details, mentioning:
The Virgin Birth
His perfect life
His substitutionary death on the cross
His victorious resurrection
When we repent and believe, we receive true life in Him.
At the end of the day, we should always be looking for opportunities to share the gospel with others whether in the form of a simple tract, all the way to a full explanation of the gospel. Whatever season we’re in, be like Andrew and bring people to Jesus!
Be excited to introduce others to Jesus. Do you do whatever it takes to bring them to Jesus, telling them as much of the gospel as you’re able. And remember the words of Spurgeon: “Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you're not saved yourself, be sure of that!”
Grace and Peace
Pastor Rob