Christmas for the First Time


by ESTHER BEASLEY, DIRECTOR, CEF OF OMAHA Christmas is simply a beautiful time of year! There


is beauty in the traditions you have come to enjoy — the candlelight services, Christmas carols and celebrating Jesus with family. I think often, as believers, we take for granted the beauty of this season. Perhaps it has become too common to those of us who could recite the precious Christmas story in our sleep. I quickly fall into this trap and lose the awe and beauty of the season.


However, my work with Child Evangelism Fellow-


ship (CEF) of Omaha helps me see Christmas through the eyes of a child who is experiencing it for the first time. I remember teaching the Christmas story at a lo- cal public elementary school Good News Club (GNC). Before I started the story I asked the kids, “How many of you have ever heard this story before?” Out of the 20 kids present that day, only four had ever heard the story of Christmas. This shocked me. Imagine growing up believing that everything about Christmas had to do with Santa, reindeer and getting new toys. What an empty season it would be!


Christmas with the next generation. Be encouraged, fellow believers, as you work with children within your church. There may be a little one who is hearing this precious story for the first time. As you read, ponder, and share this story remember the power it holds.


I remember a child asking, “Miss Esther, why? Why


would Jesus leave the mansions of heaven to come to this messed up world?” My response was simple, “Because that is just how much he loved you and me.” His little eyes


This year CEF Omaha is conducting Christmas Party Clubs in order to reach children who have never heard.


grew wide, “Wow.” That is a wow moment I want to hold onto in the midst of this busy holiday season and into the new year. This love of Jesus is so profound it should cause me to live in complete awe of him.


This year, as you celebrate Christmas with family Throughout my 15 years teaching with CEF


this story stands out as a constant reminder of why ministry to children is so vital. Children must know about Jesus — and can they truly know Him without understanding how his earthly life began? As the local church, we must be faithful to share the true beauty of


and friends, pray for the work of CEF across the globe as we seek to reach children who have never heard. And ask God to open your eyes to the little children in your neighborhood and community who may not know this message. Perhaps God will give you an op- portunity to share it.


Across the globe, CEF reaches 22 million children with the gospel each year.


FELLOWSHIP FOCUS, DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022 8


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