This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission from purchased products at no additional cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
This post gives an idea of how to create a theme for your December church services using one Bible verse. Allison Marco made a December theme based on Luke 2:10. She included sermon topics, worship songs, and think-about questions for her small church.
Keep reading if you are wondering how to do a theme for your small church this Christmas season. Start with one central verse(s) and separate it into keywords or thoughts. Then, create your concept and write sermons or messages by delving into each separate idea.
Include definitions, and ponder how and why those words and key thoughts were relevant. Ask questions to help your congregation think about how they can relate to, consider, or apply the keyword to their own life or personal journey with God.
Finally, work with your worship leader to find songs that relate to or support your messages.
A Small Church Christmas Season With Joy
Luke 2:10 (NLT) But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.”
Our church has been through a lot in the past year. There have been trials and tragedies in almost every family of our small church. As we thought about the Christmas season, the last word that came to my mind was JOY. It’s hard to find joy in the middle of all difficult circumstances sometimes.
But that was the word my husband-pastor chose: JOY. So, with a prayer and my Bible, I started searching for a verse to focus on for the Christmas season. God directed me to this verse found in Luke 2:10. A simple verse right in the middle of the Christmas story with a powerful message from an angel about finding joy in the midst of hard times.
Maybe you or your church is like ours this year. Here is a simple four-week plan to help lead your congregation to find joy this season, even if things may be hard.
The Angel Reassured The Shepherds
Week 1: The angel reassured them. Luke 2:10 Focus on the word reassured
Reassure – say or do something to remove the doubts or fears of (someone) – to restore to confidence
Concept: Here, the shepherds were just living an ordinary life, and all of a sudden, life changed. It got scary. Everything was different. The light was blinding, and they couldn’t see. It was loud and distracting them from hearing the sheep and protecting them. They felt fear. This fear was quick, overwhelming, and powerful. Then … the angel was sent by God to reassure them. God does this in our lives.
In the middle of the storms, hard seasons and tough situations can come at us loud and blinding. He reassures us of who He is. He is capable of handling the situation, quieting the distractions, and giving us direction even when we can’t see the next step.
Questions To Think About For Week One
1. How have you been reassured this year?
2. Who or what has God used to bring you comfort and assurance?
3. How could you bring that assurance to others this season?
4. Are you struggling? Invite someone into that who can offer you some reassurance.
Choose From These Songs For Week One
- Blessed Assurance
- Living Hope
- In Christ Alone
- Yet Not I But Christ Through Me
- You’ve Already Won
- Raise a Hallelujah
- He Will Hold Me Fast
- Great Is Thy Faithfulness
- Psalm 23
- O Come O Come Emmanuel (maybe paired with Even so Come)
- Heard the Bells On Christmas Day
Hey, It’s Going To Be Okay
Week 2: But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said.
Concept: The Shepherds; I wonder what concerns they had. Maybe they were counting sheep, hoping there would be enough of them to sell to make ends meet. Maybe it was hard being away from family and friends for so long. Worry was building over all the things that could go wrong and the sick family member they hadn’t gotten new about. Maybe there were noises in the dark and fear of animals getting ready to hunt the sheep. Just ordinary life concerns as they sat on the hillside. Then, suddenly, there was a bright light that stopped them from being able to see the sheep. Were they being attacked? What was happening?
This “don’t fear” isn’t a command. Like you had better not be afraid’; shame on you. But it was a reassurance: Hey, it’s going to be ok. There is hope in the hard times of life and Light in the darkness. This Hope, this Light, He was coming on this very night. It was ordinary, just a mom giving birth to a baby boy in a stable, but this baby who was coming wasn’t ordinary. He can squash our fears, quiet our hearts, and give us a solid place to put our trust.
Questions To Think About For Week Two
1. What are some of the fears you have battled this year?
2. Was there a time when God reminded you that you didn’t need to be afraid? How did He remind you? Was it a song, a person, a verse, a sermon, or another way?
3. What are two things you could say to someone struggling with fear? What would be helpful for you to hear?
4. Are you struggling with a particular fear? Can you ask someone to pray with you and for you?
Try These Songs For Week Two
- Raise a Hallelujah
- He Will Hold Me Fast
- Waymaker
- No Longer Slaves
- Oceans
- I Need Thee Every Hour
- Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem
- When Hope Came Down
- Here I am to Worship
- Light of the World
Looking for something fresh and new for the holiday season?
Check out the Blue Christmas Pack & the Advent Worship Pack!
The Angel Brings Good News
Week 3: But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news”
Concept: Who doesn’t like to get good news! I love it when I get the Amazon text saying “10 stops away” or a notification that money is deposited. And I get excited and full of joy. I love the texts and phone calls that bring good news of a prayer answered, a healthy baby, or a great time someone had. That is what this angel was doing. Pause for a minute in your fear and in your ordinary daily life because I am bringing you some good news.
So often, good news can be clouded with trouble. Think of that Amazon package. I hope that they send the right stuff. I hope it gets here on time. I’m worried it might be damaged. Will it be the right size, work well, or will the person I bought it for like it? Can I even afford it? Is it worth the money? The “Good News” of Jesus being born was cloudy as well. Crowds were everywhere, pushing and fighting for space. Mary went into labor while traveling, and there was no place to give birth. What if something went wrong? How could she do this in a barn? Her mom and family wouldn’t be there.
Yet in the middle of it all – good news. There was this bright spot, just like that angel lit up the sky. Hey, right here, there is some good news.
Questions To Think About For Week Three
1. What is some good news you received recently? How was it delivered?
2. How did that good news make you feel?
3. What is some “good news” you can share about God to someone else?
4. When can you take some time to think about the goodness of God in your life over this past year?
Try These Songs For Week Three
- Goodness of God
- O Holy Night
- There is a Savior
- His Mercy is More
- Amazing Grace
- How Great is Our God
- Living Hope
- My Jesus, My Savior
- Good Good Father
- King of my Heart
Great Joy To All People
Week 4: But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news” that will bring great joy to all people… The Savior “ (verse 11)
Concept: all people; this good news is for everyone. That means you and me. There is news that can bring each of us JOY. Wait…
- That shepherd who was worried about his family – JOY
- The one who was counting the sheep, hoping they would have enough – JOY
- Each person in that huge crowd in Bethlehem getting pushed and shoved – JOY
- Mary giving birth in less than ideal circumstances – JOY
- Joseph with his worried expression, watching his wife labor to bring a baby into the world – JOY
- You and me with our worries and concerns, our burdens, our sin, shame, fears… – YES JOY.
Not because every circumstance is happy but because of what the Savior brings to each of us in our circumstances. Maybe we can focus on that for a minute – what does the Savior bring to us? – (salvation, hope, safety, belonging, peace, purpose, etc…) What can we bring to the Savior?
Questions To Think About For Week Four
1. What does the Savior bring to us?
2. How do I get this joy?
3. What do I give back to the Savior?
4. What can I give Him this season to bring him joy?
Try These Songs For Week Four
- Angels We Have Heard on High
- Living Hope
- Joy to the World
- House of the Lord
- I’m so Blessed
- Light of the World
- Yes, I Will
- Great Is Thy Faithfulness
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- 10,000 Reasons
Make Christmas Personal For Your Small Church
This year, make Christmas personal for your small church congregation. Start with one central verse and follow the process to create a beautiful Christmas theme your members can focus on throughout the month.
I hope this gave you a little thought or idea behind the process of how I created a Christmas theme for our church. I tried to give you a sneak peek into my process and hope it inspires you to create your own at your church. (Or use the one I wrote about above.)
Please comment below if you do a Christmas theme. I’d love to hear about it!
Read More:
Christmas And Tea Time For Women’s Ministry
Christmas Service Ideas For Small Churches
Service Ideas When The Pastor Is Gone
Allison Marco
I have two great loves: God and family. I’ve been a pastor’s wife for 24 years; most of them have been at a small church in Wisconsin. I love to watch God work in the hearts and lives of my church family and am amazed I get to be a part of it! I married my high school sweetheart after we met in choir. Together, we have six fantastic kids and five fabulous grandkids. I’m an online teacher who is passionate about encouraging my students with lots of cheering and positive affirmations. I am eternally thankful for God’s faithfulness, walking with me through hard times and using every moment of this messy life to shape me to be more like Him. He never gives up on me and never stops loving me. I am so grateful and abundantly blessed.