I took the teenagers from our church to a children’s home to spend the day making Christmas cookies, playing games, doing crafts, singing songs, decorating, and handing out gifts.

First, we decorated the tree. Then we gathered the children around it to listen while I read the account of Jesus’ birth from the Bible and a Christmas children’s book.

As we were getting ready to leave, one of the workers came to thank me for all we had done. She said we were welcome back anytime. “But,” she said, “it would probably be best if you left out all the stuff about Jesus. We don’t want to influence the kids.”

I quickly, but politely told her that Jesus was the number one reason we were here — to share the truth of His love and to let the kids know that Jesus’ birthday is the only reason we celebrate Christmas.

She rolled her eyes at me, sighed, and said, “I don’t know why you think you have to do that, but if it’s the only way you’ll come, then I guess I’ll have to overlook it.”

“And I hope,” I said with a grin, “that we do such a great job in sharing Jesus that you can’t.”