The Joy of Christmas for All Types of Families

By: Crystal Mazzuca

The Joy of Christmas for All Types of Families 

December is a time when we see many new (and sometimes old) faces come into our ministry spaces. According to Lifeway Research, Christmas Eve is the highest attended service of the year. This is a season when we have one of the best opportunities to be intentional in fostering the joy of Christmas for all types of families. 

Joy for New Families 

When new families come to church during December, they may have a myriad of reasons why. It may be that they are in the habit of going to church at Christmastime. It may be that their family is in town and wants to attend church. Or it may be that they’re just curious, and this feels like a safe time to check out church for the first time or the first time in a while. 

Regardless of the reasons, we get to be intentional about helping these new families feel seen and known through extravagant welcome and hospitality. This doesn’t mean giving away over-the-top gift bags or taking every new family out for a five-course meal. But it does mean developing a strategy to connect with these families in ways that are personal and highly relational. 

Consider asking regular attenders to be ambassadors for December, standing around your ministry spaces to connect with new families. Invite these ambassadors to introduce themselves, show new families around, and even offer to sit with them. A personal touch can make all the difference between a family’s only time at your church and a family’s first time of many at your church.  

Joy for Old Families 

Christmas is the time of year when most of our regular families are in the building together. We can let this be a time and season of reconnection. When families feel more connected with each other or when they feel like they have friends at church, they might feel drawn to attending more regularly. 

Consider hosting special, but simple, events during this season. This can look like extra food and time for conversation after a service or a weekend event geared toward kids and their families. Small acts can have big impacts when it comes to helping our families feel more connected to each other and to the church. 

Joy for Hurting Families 

While Christmas is a season filled with joy, it can also be a time where pain and hurt are felt afresh. This can be hurt from loss, tragedies, or difficult experiences throughout the year. This can also be hurt that arises from reminders of broken relationships and experiences that happen within the church itself. 

We can be intentional about fostering restoration during the Christmas season. We get to be compassionate, caring, and understanding. We can offer our time and share the truth as we try and help families find forgiveness, healing, and hope in their relationships and in the church. 

This Christmas, cling tightly to the joy of Christmas and the promise that, with Jesus, you are never alone. And find ways to share that joy with others!