Question: What message do you have for people who show up for services only on major holidays?

THE REV. JOSEPH R. ROBILLARD

St. Joachim Catholic Church, Costa Mesa

My immediate response is “I am so glad you are here.” I try to respect that the Holy Spirit has moved their hearts and for whatever reason they were able to respond, not so much to the Church, but to the Lord Jesus Christ. Then I hope and pray that what I say and do during Mass will be another experience of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

PASTOR STEVE PETTY

St. Andrew’s By-the-Sea United Methodist Church, San Clemente

Welcome home! It seems to me that the message of every religion, and certainly Christianity, is that God is waiting for us to come home to God. Our culture makes a big deal about coming “home for the holidays.” But in a real sense this is the message of the holidays: God is inviting us to find our way home to God. I believe that the essential message of Christmas is that God saw we were lost and needed to somehow reach out to us and bring us home. So God came in human form to show us the way. For the Christian, Jesus is the way to come home to God. Recognizing this essential truth will bring people into churches at Christmastime more easily than any other time. So we hold the door open and to these year-round strangers we say, “Welcome home! It is so good to see you. Come in and share the joy of your heavenly Father.”

RABBI ALLEN KRAUSE

Temple Beth El, Aliso Viejo

The message is one of warm welcome--I am delighted to see them. My hope is that each time they come they will go away having a sense of spiritual refreshment and community and that they will feel challenged to do a little more to make this world a better place.

EVANGELIST GRAYLON A. FREEMAN

Church of Christ, Cypress

One of the most difficult things in life is to unlearn what we have learned. People utilize religion for a variety of reasons. When a man manifests a heart that only leads him to worship, fellowship and praise with the Lord and the Lord’s people on holidays, the message is to encourage and exhort him to a better understanding and a greater degree of commitment to the Lord. When the apostle Paul was traveling, he waited for his companions in the city of Athens. And his spirit was stirred within him when he saw the whole city was given over to idolatry. He did not go about the task of ripping these idols down physically. He did not start a literal bonfire and watch them turn to dust and ashes. He began where these people were in their misunderstanding and ignorance and taught them the truth. When individuals are only CME Christians (Christmas-Mother’s Day-Easter), they must be taught that the Lord desires and requires a committed relationship. The Bible says God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

THE REV. PETER D. HAYNES

Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Parish Church, Corona del Mar

My answer is simple: “Welcome! God loves you--yes, you!” because I believe that is what Jesus’ message would be. Then, of course, I would try my best to give a piece of God’s good news appropriate for the holy day (holiday) that only-on-holiday folks would remember and think about until the next holiday.

SENIOR PASTOR DAVID J. MITCHELL

Calvary Church of Santa Ana

We want all to know that God loves them and seeks to have a personal relationship with them both now and for all eternity in heaven. He has provided a way for that to happen in his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus reveals to us God’s love in his life. Most importantly, his love is revealed by his death on the cross and resurrection to pay for every sin I have committed. If I believe in his payment for my sins and ask for forgiveness, he will forgive me and make me part of his family both now and forever in heaven.

RABBI DAVID ELIEZRIE

North County Chabad/Congregation Beth Meir HaCohen, Yorba Linda

Hanukkah recalls the victory of the Jews in ancient Israel against religious oppression of the Greeks. They denied the Jews the right to practice their religious beliefs and study the Torah. They placed an idol in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. They were a superpower. The Jews were few and divided internally since many secular Jews were attracted to Greek culture. Led by Judah the Maccabee, of the priestly clan, their faith sustained them and a miracle occurred. This teaches us that we can overcome oppression with faith and determination.

SENIOR PASTOR DOUG WEBSTER

Mountain View Church, Mission Viejo

What is your Christmas wish? Christmas is pregnant with expectation. The angel Gabriel said, “Mary, do not be afraid for you have found favor with God.” Two reasons faith replaced Mary’s fear--Mary was called by name, and she was in God’s favor. Expect salvation in the Christ child, and Christmas will birth favor in you.

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