Christmas "services"

It's the most wonderful time of the year when churches begin to ramp-up all the Christmas celebrational events and gatherings--- including several Christmas Eve worship service times.

As a church planter, I always found 4:00 pm a good eve service time--- keeping in mind the extra energy needed on both ends of worship for the set-up and tear-down team members.  Be sure to also keep in mind that cultural expectations are much different on a Wednesday (December 24th) than on a Sunday morning.  Many folks will have to work at least a half-day, company is coming, dinner prep is different and then; of course, there's gift opening.  Plan ahead to how you can make Christmas Eve service stand out, without creating more work for your worship team.  If you are worshipping in a school, ask permission to leave your gear in place for Sunday the 28th.  Officials may allow you to do so since school will not be in session.

Still, while so much work often goes into Christmas worship services, how about you planters focus more on Christmas "services."  In other words, incorporate life-style ways you can inspire your folks to serve your community in such a manner that unbelievers will want to give your new church a try--- perhaps on Christmas Eve! After all, December is a season where the lonely feel even lonelier and the poor in spirit feel an extra dose of hopelessness.  So, instead of paying a ton of money for an ad in the newspaper that invites people to your worship services, spend the money on taking your Christmas services to the streets of your city!  I believe the investment will pay off.

Some simple possibilities for you to consider in your context....

* Instead of just caroling through a nursing home, spend some talking time with the residents, praying with them.  What's that you say?  Nursing home folks won't be coming to your Christmas Eve worship service?  You're probably correct...but their unchurch family members might, or the nursing home staff that see your kindness in action, might.  I've found nursing homes to be full of mercy-gifted workers, who believe in Jesus, but are still don't worship with a community.  You can change that!

or...
* Find some families that are in need of a gift blessing to help them in serving a Christmas dinner.  Then give away "turkeys" (your choice) to them with notes attached.  No strings attached, just a hand-written Christmas blessing note with an invite to Christmas Eve worship.  Always include your website address.

or...
* Simplify the above and expand it by doing the same thing with excellent, store-bought chocolates.  Also, consider outreach to local support groups.  There are believers in those groups without a church family because they feel ashamed...and there are unbelievers in those support groups who are looking for real hope and change that can't come from government.  You can become the church known throughout the city as the church that cares about the city!  Share the hope they need in Jesus!

or...
* Share a family Christmas card with your neighbors and/or work colleagues.  For those who are Christian, it unites you in a common body no matter your denominational differences.  For those who are not Christian, think about sharing a brief testimony of what being a follower of Jesus has meant to YOU.  In addition, express to the person you are giving the card to, what THEY mean to you!  You might be shocked to how the Spirit can break down walls amongst neighbors and colleagues because your words are your gift to another person--- and God's promise in Jesus is wrapped into that gift!

or...
* Do anyone of the above items (or come up with your own idea) to bless city workers, such as firefighters, police officers and the various administrative folks.  I have found from my own experiences these people are often more disconnected from church (and perhaps thus from Jesus) than you might think.  They've had it pounded into their heads they can't "be Christian" at work for so long, they live like that's truth.  A card and word of great encouragement in the name of Jesus will not only stir their hearts with the sense of appreciation, but it will give them a word of hope they may not be otherwise receiving in this holy season.  

or...
* This will take some timing, but perhaps include 1-2 people to share testimonies in the Christmas Eve service, to the Godly impact of their month-long Christmas services.  Who knows what might happen?

then...
* Don't drop the joy of Christmas the second it's over.  Instead, cast an Advent season vision into what you, your family, and your church family can do as Christmas "services" into the new year.  It will be the the gift that keeps on giving you the flexibility of connecting into people post-Christmas, perhaps crushing the winter blues some people may experience outside of faith.

The challenge: what if you were to do more Christmas services of worship this December than actual Christmas worship services on the 24-25th?  Think about the thousands of people in your community who need a church to fully unwrap Christmas for them, so the lonely will know they are not alone, and the poor in spirit are feeling rich.