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The Holidays are commonly one of the busiest times of the year for first-time visitors or people who traditionally only attend church on Christmas and Easter. Why are people attracted to church at these times of the year?
Polls and surveys tell us the traditions of singing carols, seeing the decorations, and being with family are some of the top reasons. Others are motivated by a sense of obligation, even though they may have no personal relationship with Jesus.
As we understand these statistics, we should realize Christmas is one of the best times of year for our small churches to reach out to those who don’t usually attend and to make sure we are clearly sharing the message of Jesus and God’s love.
This Is Our Small Church Christmas Service
Most churches have some sort of traditional Holiday services, whether it be on the week before Christmas, Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day. The possibilities of what elements to include in your program are exciting to think about.
- Candlelight
- Children’s Program
- Christmas Choir
- Outreach
- Waiting & Expecting
- Readings & Monologues
- Carols
- Nativity
Some churches use their children’s Christmas program as part of their service. Others host a traditional candlelight service. One church may opt for a choral and musical presentation. Another goes with an out-of-the-box service and offers something new. The key is to choose the service that best fits your small church.
Small Churches Share Their Best Ideas
As you read these programs that work for some of our small church members, be encouraged to step out on your own. Host a Christmas service that embodies the personality of your small church while sharing the message of Jesus’ birth with your community.
Pastor’s Family Gift Of Christmas Eve Service
Would you like to hear how a traditional Christmas Eve Service turns into a gift from the Pastor’s Family to the church? Linda Reynhout, her Pastor-husband Marty, and members of their extended family run the entire Christmas Eve service.
They do this so the volunteers can enjoy the service while seated with their families. They perform special readings, special musical numbers, and accompaniment for congregational singing. God blessed this family with the gift of music and worship, and they generously share this gift each Christmas.
If you are not musically gifted, worship acoustics and videos with lyrics are readily available online. You can add readings, prayers, and candle lighting to make a special evening your small church family might enjoy.
Include The Neighborhood In Your Christmas Program
The church Jeanie Foster attends combines their children’s Christmas program with an outreach flare. The kids in their Wednesday night program, most come from the apartment adjacent to the church, are the actors in this simple Nativity program. A congregant reads the Christmas story while the children re-enact it in costume.
If you have children in your programs with special needs, here are some great Tips To Include Children With Special Needs In Christmas Activities.
Parents and families are invited to attend and watch their kids. The church is packed! Jeanie tells us following the service, they serve a simple meal for everyone. This gives their church folks time to connect personally with the families of these children.
For added fun, set up a photo backdrop for families to capture a special memory.
Bring Passover To Your Small Church Christmas
Try this out-of-the-box thinking for a Christmas program. Amy Kass and her church invited Jews For Jesus to do a presentation about the Passover meal. It gives a very interesting perspective on God’s big plan of bringing Christ to this world to be our Messiah. It’s a very educational and enriching way to look at Christmas. They share the traditional Passover meal while celebrating the coming of the Messiah!
Christmas Candlelight Service Ideas In Small Churches
While thinking about what your small church would like to do, consider the area you live in. What are the traditions or special places your town loves at Christmastime? Is there a holiday gazebo or park everyone decorates? These could be great venues to offer carols and a Christmas message. Do some research and make some observations that could help your small church present a unique Christmas service!
- Adre Hurst’s small church hosts a Family Style Christmas Eve Service. They have a traditional candlelight service but provide age-appropriate candles (battery-operated and flameless). They also provide “Christmas bags” for the children that have activities and books along with Christmas fidgets as a special gift.
- Donna Pendley’s small church hosts a candle service with a bit of a twist. They involve their youth with a ‘live-silent nativity’ scene that comes together during the service. The message of the birth of Jesus is shared. The congregation participates with song and the service is closed out by singing, ‘Oh, Holy Night’. Following the service, they ask all the guests to stay for refreshments and fellowship. This is a simple and beautiful service tradition.
- Check out Christmas By Candlelight: An Advent Event for a small group meeting. Read about it in Christmas Ideas For Outreach And Connection.
New England Church Celebrates Christmas Without Electricity
Becky Sargent shares about a small church in New England. Each Christmas Eve, they use a historic church in their town for their candlelight service. The building is normally only used for weddings and historical tours.
The church building has no electricity, so the candlelight is both beautiful and necessary! The pianist is skilled and able to play the old pump organ. The visiting church occasionally brings a guitarist and vocalists to add to the ambiance.
A small wood stove in the back of the church provides the only heat. (This church is in New England, so it’s chilly!). Every year, this church is packed with standing room only. The people in the community love the tradition and the ability to participate in something unique.
This small church capitalizes on the community’s desire to participate in a quaint Christmas tradition while being faithful to share the gospel message and the true joy of Christmas to all those who attend!
Celebrate & Shine Your Light For Jesus
We shared several ideas with you, and now it’s time for your small church to respond with your own celebration of the holidays! Whatever you choose to do, and however you choose to reach out to your community, do it with the light of Jesus shining brightly!
Isaiah 60:1 tells us “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.”
So, let’s get up and bring that light to a world full of darkness and no hope. This Christmas, bring them the only answer that can brighten lives and give them eternal hope, peace, and joy! To all of you who serve in small churches, we can’t wait to hear how you reach into your communities this Christmas season.
We love to share your stories to encourage others. Post your pictures in our Facebook Community, Creative Solutions for Small Churches. Oh yes, and Merry Christmas!
Read More:
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