Every pastor encounters them: the Christmas and Easter faces that appear in church only on the holiest of days. It's easy to grow cynical about the once-or-twice-a-year crowd. On the other hand, holidays provide the opportunity to touch the lives of the "under-churched." John Huffman's perspective, originally published in the Los Angeles Times, offers insight and hope.

How do I feel about Christmas and Easter attenders?

I am excited to see them. I have a great desire to observe someone come to life-saving faith in Jesus Christ and then become active in the community we know as Christ's church. That's why on Christmas Eve and Easter, I try to present the very essence of what it is to be born again spiritually by the power of Jesus Christ.

I try to understand them. There may be valid reasons why some people come only on holidays.

Perhaps they have had traumatic experiences in church—even Christians can be cruel. Some may have been burned out by committee work. ...