Need ideas to add sparkle to your ministry this Christmas? Read on!

Preparing for Christmas

• Arrange for “handy” men (and women) in your church to make a large, outdoor, wooden cross. Attach Christmas lights and a large red bow. Display it on church property where passers-by will readily see it.
• Organize a “Hanging of the Greens” party and invite everyone to help decorate your church for Christmas. Provide decorations and/or encourage each participant to bring a favorite ornament from home to add to the Christmas tree. While adults, teens, and older children work together, have a few volunteers take younger children to an area away from all the bustle. Lead these children in making simple decorations and Christmas cards for homebound members. Play Christmas music and provide simple snacks for all to enjoy.
• Post a large piece of butcher paper in the narthex or along a well-travelled hallway. Add the words, “Keep Christ in Christmas.” Encourage families to think of activities that have helped them focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Invite everyone to note these ideas on the poster to inspire other families.
• Could this be the year for a Christmas parade in your neighborhood? Invite small groups from within your congregation and other churches and church groups to join in preparing a Christmas float. Offer prizes for the float(s) that best reflect the true meaning of Christmas. (Don’t forget to check with local authorities for permits.) Or decorate the floats and host a “parade” on your church parking lot. Encourage choirs and carolers to sing. Serve hot cocoa and homemade cookies. Distribute flyers that invite friends and neighbors to this year’s worship services.

Christmas

• Suggest that your Bible study classes and other small study groups go Christmas caroling this year. As you go from house to house, distribute fliers inviting neighbors to this year’s Christmas worship.
• Plan to make CDs and/or DVDs of your choir’s Christmas cantata or children’s Christmas service. Take the recordings to congregational shut-ins. Make copies available to local nursing homes and rehabilitation centers.
• Invite choirs from neighboring churches to come together for a free community concert. Be sure to have copies of familiar Christmas carols available and invite everyone to join in singing together at the end of the evening.
• Get your youth group together for an evening of kazoo Christmas caroling at the homes of all church staff and maybe volunteers, too. Present handmade notes thanking each person for his or her service to your congregation, and remember—no singing, just “kazooing” the familiar Christmas songs. Consider pairing the notes with one of CTA’s Ornaments of Faith® as a gift the worker will enjoy for many Christmases to come.

You are welcome to copy this article for one-time use in your organization as long as you will receive no monetary benefit from it. Please include this copyright line and submit an actual copy of use to CTA, attention Editorial Manager.

Used with permission grant #101609. © 2009 CTA, Inc. No duplication of this article is allowed without the express written consent of CTA, PO Box 1205, Fenton, MO 63026-1205. www.CTAinc.com.