The Christmas season brings a unique opportunity and challenge for churches – how to balance the sacred and secular aspects of the holiday. Attendance surges during this time, with people searching for the meaning of Christmas. As a church leader, keep these tips in mind:

First, acknowledge the intermingling of Christian and pagan traditions surrounding Christmas, going back centuries. Though the holiday has become quite commercialized, stay grounded in the reason for the season – Jesus.

Next, remember to observe Advent. More than just opening calendar doors, it’s a time of preparation and anticipation of Christ’s birth and second coming. Use Advent to refocus your congregation through prayer, introspection, and traditional activities.

Finally, make giving back a priority. Do a service project together, write letters to troops, or organize a charity dinner. Find ways for your whole church to show love and care for others this season.

The lines between the sacred and secular may blur at Christmas, but it’s an invaluable chance to point people to Jesus. Stay grounded in him amidst the busyness, and lead your church to do the same.

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With Christmas on the horizon, churches prepare for festive gatherings, but how can they transform these one-night events into lasting spiritual connections? Discover the secrets to making your Christmas service unforgettable, building genuine relationships with Christ, and ensuring attendees return week after week. From excellence and authenticity to engaging children and fostering commitment, this article unveils the keys to success that extend far beyond the holiday season.

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The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the perennial question for churches – what to do when Christmas falls on a Sunday? It may seem simple to just hold service as usual, since Christmas celebrates Christ’s birth. But attendance is likely to be low with family gatherings planned. So what’s a church to do?

There are several options to consider, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. One is to go ahead with the normal Sunday service. Though crowds will be smaller, it’s still a meaningful day to worship Jesus. Another is to hold Christmas Eve services instead, which some churches find draws even bigger crowds than Easter. Or, celebrate on another day that week, giving staff and attendees time off for the holiday weekend. Some churches even move their Christmas service up a whole weekend, though this means losing a week’s offering.

There’s no one right answer. The key is finding what works best for your particular congregation. Christmas is a joyous time of year, and with thought and care, your church can make the absolute most of it, whichever day you wind up celebrating. The holiday represents a precious opportunity to spread Christmas cheer, bolster faith, and attract new friends and family to share in the good news.

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The typical church doesn’t start thinking about their Christmas plans until they get back in the office after Thanksgiving. That leaves little time to strategically communicate how people can worship with you at Christmas.

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Creating a new Christmas album is a delicate balancing act for artists – stay true to nostalgic holiday favorites yet also bring something fresh. With his first ever Christmas release, veteran songwriter and worship leader Matt Redman pulls it off with These Christmas Lights.

While evoking the familiar cozy Christmas mood with production flourishes, Redman also offers creative spins on classics along with new worshipful anthems that transcend typical holiday fare. The album threads the needle between warm holiday celebration and lifting hearts in adoration of the one whose birth Christmas commemorates.

Standouts like “O Little Town”, “Hearts Waiting”, and “The Name of Emmanuel” spotlight Redman’s gifts for spiritual lyrics and worshipful melodies. For those seeking music that delivers comfort and joy yet inspires worship this Christmas, These Christmas Lights hits all the right notes.

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