The Christmas season is one of the most special and unique times of the year for ministry. You’ll notice your attendance numbers rising and the hearts of those in your congregation opening up, willing to receive a message. Here are 10 things to remember when planning your Christmas Eve Service.
Spread the Word!
1. In the weeks leading up to your Christmas or Christmas Eve service, include announcements at the end of your service, inserts in your bulletins or show promotional videos to excite your congregation about the upcoming service and encourage them to invite others!
Engage Families
2. Get kids involved in the service either through a special song, drama, reading, or children’s choir. Have you checked out the Christmas media on WorshipHouse Kids!?
Don’t Forget About Traditions!
3. Whether you simply light candles across the stage or you fill the entire room with each individual holding a candle, a candle-lighting can be an extremely powerful moment. This is a time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and an uplifting escape from the hustle and bustle of the season.
4. Display an Advent wreath in your church. The Advent wreath, four candles on a wreath of evergreen, is shaped in a perfect circle to symbolize the eternity of God. In some churches, four purple candles, one for each week in Advent, are used with one larger white candle in the middle as the Christ candle. During each Sunday of the Advent season, we focus on one of the four virtues Jesus brings us: Hope, Love, Joy and Peace. The Christ candle is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day reminding Christians that Jesus is the light of the world.
5. Communion is a time to remember. Allow the taking of the communion elements to usher in remembering Christ’s birth and sacrifice for you personally this holiday season.
Enhance Your Service with Imagery
6. Use Christmas Motion Backgrounds. Motion backgrounds are the perfect way to make your time of worship more engaging. WorshipHouse Media offers a variety of options that will not only look good, but tie the entire theme of your service together. Edit lyrics on top of the motions or leave them as-is while singing hymns.
The Christmas Dilemma Wisemen from Skit Guys Studios
7. Use An Influential Sermon Illustration. One of the easiest ways to make your Sunday sermons memorable is by using an illustration or video to make your point. Illustrations bring clarity to biblical truth turn the ear into an eye so that the congregation can better understand the Word. Shop the Christmas Store on WorshipHouse Media and browse through a variety of Mini-Movies to accompany your Christmas message.
8. Use a Christmas Themed Still Background During the Sermon. Using imagery that portrays the miracle of Jesus birth and the joy of Christmas will complement your message and help you connect to your audience. Browse still backgrounds in the WorshipHouse Media Christmas store!
Plan Ahead!
9. Christmas is basically like the Super Bowl for a pastor. Here’s something to keep in mind; most people in your congregation have heard the Christmas story many times and we all know… “Jesus is the reason for the season.” And it’s true, He is! But, the same message year after year can start to seem repetitive. The message every year should remain the same, but you need a bit of a creative spin on the way you present it every year to keep the message fresh. SermonSearch.com has over 30,000 sermon outlines that can assist you while planning your Christmas service.
Invite them Back!
10. Chances are, you will see a lot of new faces in your congregation during the holidays and at your Christmas service. Thank them for coming and tell them, “we would love to have you back!” If you have guest slips, make sure they fill them out so that you can stay in touch.
