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We realize that Christmas can be an extremely busy time of year for church staff. To make things simpler for you, we've put together a plan that will help you coordinate your church's celebration of Christmas.
How will your church celebrate Christmas together this year? We’ve put below what you’ll need to make these ideas happen. You can cross out the ideas you won’t be implementing - it won’t hurt our feelings!
Sermon Planning for Advent
ASAP - Download Alistair Begg’s free five-week preaching guide linked with his Advent devotional, Let Earth Receive Her King.
Outreach Event(s) for Christmas
Nov 1 - Decide the events and nail down the details
Caroling
Carol Service
Nativity
Kids’ festival
Craft fair
Dessert exchange
Concert
Other ____________
Nov 8 - Create invitations to the event
Nov 8 - Order resources to give away
Nov 24 - Encourage your congregation to hand out invitations
December - Host the event(s)
Dec 22 - Set extra resources out for visitors to take for free
Dec 24 - Set extra resources out for visitors to take for free
Advent Reading Plan for Your Congregation
Nov 1 - Decide if you’ll coordinate a churchwide Advent reading plan:
Let Earth Receive Her King by Alistair Begg has an accompanying free preaching guide you can use to sync with your congregation’s Advent reading.
Nov 8 - Order Advent devotionals, or request a custom discount code for your congregation so they can order their own. Save when you buy in bulk.
For Adults:
For Families with Young Children:
For Families with Kids Aged 6+
Nov 24 - Distribute Advent devotionals
Christmas Curriculum for Kids in December
Nov 8 - Order a Christmas curriculum or create plans for your own
Dec 1 - Host the first session of the curriculum
Dec 8 - Host the second session of the curriculum
Dec 15 - Host the third session of the curriculum
Dec 22 - Use our all-age service plan for The Christmas Story Brick-By-Brick or use the all-age service plan in The Christmas Promise Storybook and Sunday School Curriculum
Dec 24 - Include a read-aloud slot in your Christmas Eve service
An outline for a family service is included in The Christmas Promise Sunday School Lessons Curriculum
Download free illustrations for the big screen here
Christmas Eve Service
Nov 1 - Decide what you’ll do for Christmas Eve and begin coordinating the details
Who will give the message?
Will there be special music beyond the usual?
Will you invite church members to participate in special readings, prayers, or lighting an Advent candle?
Will you be doing a read-aloud for kids?
Do you need candles and holders?
Who will decorate? When do decorations need to be done by?
Nov 8 - Order any resources you’d like to give away at your Christmas Eve service (you may be doing this for an outreach event as well)
Nov 8 - Order a kid’s book to read aloud during the service or buy in bulk to give away to every child who comes along.
Nov 29 - Download free illustrations to project on the big screen during the read-aloud time
Dec 15 - Encourage your congregation to invite others to the Christmas Eve service
Dec 22 & Dec 24 - Host your services and set out evangelistic resources for visitors to take for free
Christmas Gifts for Your Congregation
Nov 1 - Decide if you’ll be giving members of your congregation a Christmas/Advent gift
Nov 8 - Order Christmas/Advent gifts based on the number of families in your church, plus a few extra for visitors
Simple gifts for families:
The Christmas Promise Advent Calendar (includes devotional)
God's Big Promises Advent Calendar (includes devotional)
Keepsake gifts for families:
Gifts for those without children or who children have grown up:
Dec 1 - Prepare the gifts if you plan to wrap them, fill out cards, or put them in a package with other goodies
Dec 15 - Consider setting out the gifts for people to grab this Sunday, in case they are traveling on Christmas Eve
Dec 22 - Set out gifts for your congregation to grab on their way out, or assign volunteers to hand them out
Follow-Up Evangelism in the New Year
Nov 29 - Order resources for New Year evangelism, including the invitations that come with some kits
Hope Explored Course (3 sessions)
Christianity Explored Course (7 sessions)
Hymns We Love Course (5 sessions)
December - Hand out New Year evangelistic course invitations at your Christmas outreach events for those who might like to come back
Dec 22 & Dec 24 - Set out New Year evangelistic course invitations alongside any resources you are giving away. Invite visitors back at the end of the service by announcing the course taking place in the New Year.
Daily Reading & Small Groups in the New Year
Nov 29 - Order resources for New Year daily reading and small groups so you’re not scrambling in December or January
Daily Reading Resources
The Quiet Time Kickstart - Six weeks to a healthy Bible reading habit
Spiritual Healthcheck - 16 short devotions helping Christians to see where and how they can grow in their faith and joy
Small Group Resources
6-8 Sessions, depending on the book. Free videos, discussion guides, and worksheets
10 sessions. Free video series by Glen Scrivener
Multiple topics, books of the Bible, and session lengths
December 15 - Announce New Year small group signups to your church
Your Own Advent Reading
Nov 8 - Order your own Advent devotional to spend time with the Lord daily during the busy season ahead. Use PASTOR24 to order a free copy of one of the following from our site. We’re grateful for you!
Check out all of our Christmas resources here, with easy sorting of Advent devotionals, Christmas gift ideas, outreach resources, and more. If you’d like a PDF of this post to make it easy to print and markup, click here.
Emily specialises in email marketing at TGBC, where she works on product launches, promotions, and brand campaigns. Emily lives in Chessington, South West London, with her husband Dave, and their 2 lively daughters. Emily studied English Literature at Cambridge University before joining TGBC marketing team.
