At the Christmas party last Friday, December 13th. I was asked to explain some of my family’s Christmas traditions. I was not warned that this would happen, but I probably should have expected it. It is very common to have native English speakers talk about their family’s traditions as a way to teach about both language and culture. Even though I had not prepared anything specific I knew that it was important to take advantage of the opportunity. Talking about my family’s Christmas traditions means talking about Jesus. So this was an opportunity to do more than just talk about Jesus, but to tell everyone what He has done and what that means for them.
I think being put on the spot with no warning and asked to talk about your faith makes most people a bit nervous. I assure you that I am no different. It’s a tremendously important topic of conversation and we have been trained to think of it as taboo or off limits. It makes one feel vulnerable.
I began by lightheartedly saying that I am a pastor so my Christmas traditions are to work hard planning events, parties, worship services, and sermons. I was happy to mention Christmas Eve dinner at Concordia Lutheran Church in Maplewood, MO, where I previously served as pastor. We sang Joy to the World together. They were surprised to see me enthusiastically singing. I don’t think they are used to seeing that from a western male.
Finally I got my thoughts in some sort of order and tried to focus on an explicit proclamation of what Jesus has done for us. I share that because Christmas is all about the arrival of Jesus Christ our God in the flesh, we as a family take time to focus and prepare during the season of Advent. I explained our tradition of having a Jesse Tree. Each night our family reads a story about the family of Jesus from the Old Testament, a devotion, and hangs an ornament on our Jesse Tree. These stories about our ancestors in the faith prepare us for the coming of Jesus because they remind us that the whole story is all about Jesus and what He has done for us.
Then the event moved on to other things. However, my head was not in it. As is common after having an opportunity to share the most important message, my mind was racing. What should I have said? Were there better words to say? Better traditions to share? I know they didn’t give me any warning before they asked me to speak, but I should have expected it or at least been prepared just in case! How could an opportunity like that take me unawares! Oh the things I should have said! The things I could have said! Have you had thoughts like these right after having an important conversation about faith and Jesus?
I highly doubt that I am the only one. Well here’s what I tell myself and this is probably true for you too. These doubts and attacks of conscience are no good! Unprepared? Hello! The holy Spirit has been at work through the Word each time it hits my ears, each time my Bible is opened, each time my daughter asks me about Jesus or the Bible. Unprepared?! What an accusation against the Holy Spirit. What an accusation from the Devil himself.
There will always be a better way you could have said it. There will always be something else that you could have said or something that you shouldn’t have said. Write them down, pray for more courage and more winsome words, repent where there is need, but do not think you are unqualified or completely unprepared to talk about your faith. You have been baptized. You have the Holy Spirit. Whatever happens and however it goes the results are in the hands of God. So don’t let Satan convince you it wasn’t worth it or that it’s all your fault that it went wrong.
When the Lord gives you a chance to talk about your faith take it. Stay in the Word, be prepared in season and out of season, and trust the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s always worth it.