Preparing for Christmas Outreach

While it is only October, it is time to prepare for Christmas celebrations with your people. It’s also time to reach those in your community who may not have plans for Christmas or even have a church home. While many religions exist in the United States, our culture still centers on Christmas in late December, even in its generic “Hallmark Movie” form. We don’t have to be shy about wishing someone a “Merry Christmas”.  And perhaps that’s our opening to show that Christmas is a very special time.

There are many events and activities your church can have that will engage your current members and guests and pique the interests of those who are unchurched.

Below are some of the interesting ways you can bring the story of the birth of Jesus to your larger community.

1. A Live Nativity. A live nativity requires careful planning but can be an amazing way to tell the Christmas story. Here are things to consider:
   1. Space. You may need a parking lot for an outdoor scene or a larger place indoors that can accommodate many people and even a few animals. Be sure to get any permits that may be required in your area.
   2. Weather. If you’re in Florida or other parts of the deep South, the weather can be perfect. If you’re in the north, there may be snow. In most parts though, there can be rain, cold, and ice that can cancel your event. This means you need to have costumes that fit with the weather you may have.  And you’ll need a “plan B” in case the weather cancels your live event.
   3. Costumes. You need to consider the garments you will need to have to show Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the three wise men, and the angel. And your actors will need places to change clothes. Look online for costumes or consider working with people at your church to make them.
   4. Animals. Find a local vendor now who can provide donkeys, sheep, or goats.  Having live animals helps tell the story.  However, you need someone who can transport them to your site and properly handle them.
   5. Volunteers. A live nativity requires lots of coordination. You’ll need volunteers to play characters, handle animals (and work with the animal provider), set up, clean up, costumes prep, arrange set pieces, and props, and set up shifts.
   6. Engagement.  Advertise within the church, on social media, and in local community boards.  Provide clear event details, including parking information and accessibility options.  
   7. Hospitality. Offer hot drinks, snacks, or small souvenirs (like ornaments or scripture cards) to make visitors feel welcome.
   8. Other Considerations. Check your insurance coverage for live events and any other liability considerations.  And look at waivers for volunteers, especially those that may work with the animals.
2. Hold Multiple Services.  Many people are required to be at work on this day, especially if they work for a retailer. Having multiple services helps them be able to learn about the real meaning of Christmas while working around their work schedule. Even more, you can help accommodate visitors to your area.
   1. Christmas Eve Services.
      • Multiple Times.  It’s more common today to have services at different times on Christmas Eve to make it convenient for families, individuals, and different age groups.
      • Candlelight Services: A late-night, candlelight service is a popular tradition at many churches, often held around 11 p.m. or midnight (Catholics having a midnight mass). This is often a more contemplative, solemn service.
   2. Christmas Day Service. You can consider either a morning worship, a special blessing, or communion service, or both.
3. Have Giving Events. You can create a food or toy drive that encourages your volunteers and visitors to bring food and presents for delivery to food banks, assisted living homes, women’s shelters, and more. This is a way of capturing a community’s attention at a key time. Also, work with your local paper to highlight this work and to advertise the need for more volunteers and gifts Generosity makes an impression on unchurched people.
   1. Operation Christmas Child.  Samaratin’s Purse will send you materials for your group or your entire church. They will also send you labels, posters, flyers, inspirational videos, and more. Your people can then each pack the shoe box size boxes with items and designate them for a boy or girl. Many churches already act as dropoff locations enabling just about anyone to build and drop off a box.  Here is their order site: https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/order-materials/.
   2. Toys for Tots. Toys for Tots is a charity that organizes toy drives from October to December. You can donate toys, gifts, books, clothes, or buy gifts for children aged newborn to 16 years. There are local chapters all over the USA. You can partner with a chapter and they will help organize a toy drive providing you with the materials and know-how to engage your church.  
   3. Roll Your Own!  There are many great local ways to get people to give their time and money to help those who most need to know the story of Jesus and experience the celebration of his birth. Here are some great ideas:
      1. A Bike Drive. Ask your church members to find old bikes that can then be fixed, cleaned up, and donated.  Here’s an example of just such a drive: https://jcbc.org/event/jcbc-annual-bike-drive/. With Johns Creek Baptist, they found a partner in North Fulton Community Charities who knew the children and parents in need and could quickly deliver the reconditioned bikes.
      2. Adopt Families. Johns Creek Baptist (JCBC) also partners with a nearby group called Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries.  JCBC small groups then adopt a family for Christmas and then organize to buy for their family.  This is a great way to give local and to put a face on the family and the church.
      3. Caroling. Yes, it’s still done! And it is almost always appreciated. It requires a plan to determine where is appropriate.  
         1. Get RSVPs from your carolers.  
         2. Pick your locations such as nursing homes, retirement communities, and hospitals.  You can also go door to door if neighborhoods allow it. And even city squares.  Just make sure you have the permissions before you go.
         3. Pick your songs. Great ones are “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem, Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, O, Holy Night, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, Joy to The World, and O, Come All Ye Faithful. These are all inspirational songs and more than likely are recognized by your planned audiences.
         4. Bring gifts. These can be as simple as candy canes or packaged treats.  
         5. Be creative. You could ride and sing on an old fire truck. Or on a boat at dockside. You could also sing from golf carts. And town squares are always a favorite.

Christmas outreach is a great way to introduce God to the unchurched showing his love for us and willingness to come be with us.  It can be hard to explain the entire story of the Bible and of Jesus’ time on earth.  However, simple Christmas outreach showing celebration, sharing and love is a great way to help someone become curious and as well a great way to reinforce bonds between people at your church.