Christmas Eve is less than a month away. Most churches have some type of Christmas Eve services, but we are seeing clear trends in how churches approach them. Every time we write or podcast something about these services, we get a lot of comments and questions. In that context, here is an update on nine clear trends we are seeing:
- It is growing in importance. Non-Christians are more likely to come to worship services on Christmas Eve than any other day of the year, including Easter. Church leaders get it. They are putting more prayer, preparation, and strategic thinking into the services.
- There are three popular times for the service. Whether a church has one or multiple Christmas Eve services, three times are more popular than others: later afternoon (typically for families with young children and for older adults); early evening (the more traditional time); and late evening (for empty nesters and families with teenage or grown children).
- The services are traditional. They include traditional hymns and carols. They may include some time for the lighting of the final advent candle.
- The services are brief. The typical length is 30 to 45 minutes.
- The pastor’s message is brief. The typical length is 10 to 15 minutes.
- Most churches include candlelight services. They are now expected by Christians and non-Christians alike.
- More unchurched are attending these services. As I noted in the first item, one of the reasons for the growing importance of Christmas Eve services is the increasing number of non-Christians who attend. Anecdotally, they seem to be more receptive each year.
- Churches are building in processes for follow-up. That means they have processes in place to get contact information, and processes to provide some type of non-aggressive follow-up such as a text message, an email or, most effectively, a handwritten letter.
- All ministry staff are expected to be there. Because this day is the single most important day to reach unbelievers, more churches require an “all-hands-on-deck” presence.
Some of these trends have been around a while. Some are only recently growing in importance. Please share with us what your church plans to do for Christmas Eve.
Posted on November 26, 2018
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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28 Comments
30-45 minutes only? Wow. How do you pack Scripture, carols, lighting the Advent wreath, a meaningful children’s time, choir anthem, offering, and lighting individual candles into that time frame — let alone a very brief sermon or story? I also serve Communion on Christmas Eve, and there is usually some special music. Our 11 pm service is shorter and less formal, although we still serve Communion and light candles. As a pastor now, I’ve drawn on my experiences as a layperson, under the leadership of an experienced pastor, in designing Christmas Eve services.
Christmas Eve service should start at the beginning of the year. As Christians we often get caught up with the surrounding a month before Christmas. We should be more concerned with the heart of the members and make sure they are prepared for the coming Christmas. In todays world it is more secular and not focused on Christ and His birth.
As Christians I believe we have some liberty as to how we choose to celebrate Christmas …. or just ignore it. It’s fine if one chooses to make a big deal about it, but in reality there is nothing more special about December 24th or 25th than any other day of the year. In the church age we don’t have “holy” days or even a Sabbath day.
“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” (Romans 14:5)
8 total services with the message “Light up the Darkness” from John 1. We’re sharing the gospel with Seattle and calling upon Christians to share their faith. We’re praying for revival in the Pacific Northwest!
why wasnt my comment not put here?
Susan –
I don’t ask my team to work late at night to approve comments. It’s now posted.
I found this article very interesting…do we have Christmas Eve Service or as some say Traditions (?) or not and how do we get the so called “unsaved” to come back . REALLY? It is Christmas…Eve…the most holiest of days are Christmas and even Christmas Eve… to me and others …for we celebrate the birth of our Saviour…not to fill our churches or use the time to push others to come back or join. They will see what they need just in the celebrations and the worship experiences!! I am shocked here locally where churches are on every corner for every denomination and if Christmas falls on a week day they have their Christmas service on the Sunday before…nothing during the week or on Christmas Eve/Day. This is so sad. We have Christmas Mass on Christmas Eve in all of our Catholic Churches…. actually multiple masses at 4pm 6pm 8pm and yes even midnight Mass…and each are packed. Even 1 at two of the Catholic Churches on Christmas Day! For several years we held it at the Convention Center where a huge crowds attended…even Protestants who said they had no where else to worship for Christmas. How awful! Now all our services are in our churches where they belong except for one that is in a school gym while their church is being built. Come on preachers….why are your churches not open…locked on Christmas. Let 2018 be the year you let Jesus know you are celebrating his coming on Christmas Eve and/or Day! I challenge each of you to think as if Jesus came and found His place of worship doors open…celebrating his birthday! God Bless each of you! Peace! +
As Christians I believe we have some liberty as to how we choose to celebrate Christmas …. or just ignore it. It’s fine if one chooses to make a big deal about it, but in reality there is nothing more special about December 24th or 25th than any other day of the year. In the church age we don’t have “holy” days or even a Sabbath day.
“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” (Romans 14:5)
It wasn’t until I moved to Iowa from Tennessee 24 years ago that I officiated my first Christmas Eve service. I really had no idea what to do, but I gleaned from several resource periodicals like Proclaim. We always include traditional Christmas carols, the Luke 2 passage, Advent Candles, communion and the lighting of individual candles at the end of the service. We’ve found that 6:00 p.m. and keeping the service limited to 45 minutes fits well into families’ busy schedules. It is always one of the best attended services of the year.
The challenge we have is getting follow-up information, but living in a smaller community means we usually know someone who knows the guests. I like the suggestion of linking response with a donation to a local charity.
If the American Automobile Association’s predictions are correct, this year more people braved traffic jams, snowy ice storms and overcrowded airports than ever before to be with family members. Why? In the maddening and hectic world we live in, we are starved for meaningful traditions.
I believe the same is true for Christmas Eve Services. Following your 9 points will add the dignity young families are looking for. Nothing funny, fancy or entertaining. Saved and unsaved are longing for a focus on Christ as a baby surrounded by simplicity and majesty.
Good word, Larry.
In our town where I last served we did not have a Christmas Eve service but the Christian Church did and had been doing it for many years. It was a community service with members from many churches attending on a regular basis. This was nice because it brought our community together for this time of year. Our family has also done a service for our extended family gathering…This is kind of cool…Anyway, I appreciate the article and hope you have a blessed Christmas season
You too!
As a pastor (Now a DOM), I always desired to have a Christmas Eve service. In my last Pastorate, I did it for 3 (of 10) years. This was the weakest attended service of the year, I’m sad to say. Finally I was informed as to the reasons there was so little support and that there would be little support for this service. While I won’t give those reasons here, they revealed much about the heart-beat of the congregation. It was a sad time for me, the next year when we had no Christmas Eve service. I pray for the churches who continue to honor Christ on the day we recognize His Birthday. God bless you…
Thank you for your service, Jerry.
The Christmas Eve service is one of the greatest opportunities to share the Christ story, to engage children and to reach to non-attenders. We found the “come-as-you-are” emphasis to be less threatening to unbelievers. And the beauty of a candlelight service – done well – can be a beautiful illustrated sermon. Keep the promise that “the service will be concluded in less than an hour” and people will come.
Thanks, Wayne.
I agree but I found that if you don’t pressure for the info they seem to give at least an email we pray first then let God handle it if they don’t give in the info card that’s their choice also we have a very lovely woman ask for the card on the way out the respond better to a woman then a guy like me a retired police officer who makes them feel like I just pulled them over for a traffic violation
For sure, P..R..A..Y!
A couple thoughts …
**We could have a guest book(a place for a name & email) at the coffee station .. (less intrusive) Or in an area on the way in/out (but not obstructing the flow of people coming in/out)
**Or, instead of asking for the card when exiting, perhaps in our warm greeting of Welcome to … , we could include that card in our verbal welcome. (intentional–we care you’re here)
For sure, God will handle … in His timing!
While the follow-up piece is understandably important, the challenge I have had in 8 years of ministry is trying to capture people’s information in the first place. It seems people are increasingly skeptical of sharing their name and any contact information.
Eric –
A number of churches donate $5 to a local community ministry for every card returned. It’s a win-win, and response rates are very good.
I like that idea…I think that would work in many outreach events in the church
Thanks so much, Mitch.
We use the info cards as an entry into a free raffle that features donations from local businesses. It’s a win-win-win.
For sure, P..R..A..Y!
A couple thoughts …
**We could have a guest book(a place for a name & email) at the coffee station .. (less intrusive) Or in an area on the way in/out (but not obstructing the flow of people coming in/out)
**Or, instead of asking for the card when exiting, perhaps in our warm greeting of Welcome to … , we could include that card in our verbal welcome. (intentional–we care you’re here)
For sure, God will handle … in His timing!