“I wish you'd say something about gossiping, because I don't think people realize just how destructive it can be. Am I right, or am I just too sensitive to what people say about me?”
“We moved to a new town a few months ago, and at first we thought we’d found the right church for us. But the longer we’re there, the more we realize that it’s an older church and not very welcoming to new people. We like the pastor very much, but should we go somewhere else?”
“I suppose you've heard this before, but I just can't get into the Bible. It's so massive, and anyway, I never seem to have time. I know I ought to make the Bible part of my life, but I get discouraged before I even start. Can you help me?”
“What’s the difference between just enjoying our food and being a glutton? I heard somewhere that the Bible condemns gluttony, but does that mean it’s wrong to enjoy good food (like I always do around the holiday season)? Where do you draw the line?”
“Why did King Herod try to kill Jesus shortly after His birth? After all, what difference could a tiny baby have made to someone as powerful as he was?”
“Why was Jesus born in such humble circumstances? Wouldn't people have been more likely to listen to Him if He'd been born in a palace instead of a stable? I've never understood why God arranged it this way.”
“This has been a very hard year for us, because we've both lost our jobs and I'm not even sure we're going to be able to keep our house. I know Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and happiness, but how can it be for us?”
“My family came here from a country that doesn't celebrate Christmas. I know it has to do with the birth of Jesus, but what else can you tell me about it? Most people here don't look on it as a religious holiday, do they?”
“Don't you think our society has lost sight of the true meaning of Christmas? Sometimes I wonder what Jesus would think if He walked through one of our malls around Christmas and saw all the decorations and everything, but nothing about His birth.”
“If you turn your back on God, will He turn His back on you? I've ignored Him most of my life but I know this was wrong. Is it too late? Is God so fed up with me that He won't have anything to do with me?”
“I've been in a drug rehab program for six months, and they just told me I can go home for a few days at Christmas. I suppose I ought to be glad, but I'm actually scared because I'll see all my old friends and they'll try to drag me down. What can I do?”
“We don't understand our son-in-law. We had a close relationship at first (especially since he and our daughter live nearby), but now he tells our daughter that we irritate him and he wishes we'd just back off. What have we done wrong? We pray about this every day, but nothing changes.”