12 Days of Christmas Outreach
At Christmas we celebrate God coming to earth. In the same way, the church has the opportunity to come into their community and represent Jesus to people who don’t yet know Him personally. Here are 12 Christmas outreach activities you can do as a church. Remember to use these to build a bridge of connection with the people that you are engaging with and invite them to something next.
Shop Till You Drop: Host a 5 hour day camp (9AM-3PM) on a Saturday to help parents go Christmas shopping for their kids. Use the information you get at check in to invite the parents to the next thing.
Hot Chocolate Stations: Set up Hot Chocolate stations at Community Events (get approval first) like Santa parades or Christmas carnivals and let people know you’re here to make their season merry!
Teachers Appreciation: Go into the local school (get approval first) and bring some yummy Tim Hortons coffee and baked goods. Say thanks to the teachers at Christmas.
Carol Singing: Take your church caroling in seniors homes, on the streets, in the mall, in the town square or even in bars. Let them know "Joy to the World the Lord Has Come.” Combine it with a food bank drive and help those in your community.
Gingerbread House Contest: Host a gingerbread house-making contest and invite the community to participate. Award an awesome prize to the winner and have some other activities available for all ages like face painting, carnival games, gingerbread man races, etc…
“Not Just Us” Christmas Banquet: Many churches spend lots of money and effort on hosting a church banquet for themselves, why not take this years’ Christmas banquet and strongly encourage church people to bring one or two non-churched people with them.
First Responder Goodies: Take some baked goods (with permission) to the local hospital, police station and fire station to say “thank you” to those that serve during this season. Add a special card with a handwritten blessing for Christmas.
Community Snowball Fight: Host the largest snowball fight in the community. Celebrate the snow and have prizes and additional activities like Sleigh rides, toboggan races, face painting, s’ mores by the fire, maple syrup candy making, etc…
Christmas Coffee House: Turn your church into a coffee house with live acoustic Christmas music, apple cider, Christmas baking and the creative retelling of a Christmas story. Or, host it in an actual coffee house.
Kids Christmas Performance: It’s a classic but it works. Parents, grandparents, teachers, and friends will come if they’re invited and if they know it’s for them. Think about the non-believer as you prepare this event. Preach the gospel and invite people to respond.
Polar Express Night: Turn your church into the Polar Express and have the movie playing and different activity stations like crafts, Santa room, hot cocoa and cookies, snow room, selfie stations. Fun? I think so!
Toys and Hampers for Families in Need: Talk to the city and/or your local elementary school to identify a dozen or two families in need of a Christmas meal and some toys. Have members of your congregation hand-deliver them to the houses. A focus on single-parent families is always beneficial.
OK, one more ….
Christmas Eve Service For Everyone: You don’t have to make your Christmas Eve service a “members only” activity. You can invite EVERYONE to join you and think about them as you plan your service. Advertise it as a “One Hour, Family Friendly Christmas Experience” and give your people invite cards and posters to put up around the community. Make it fun and add to the experience by lighting candles while singing “Silent Night”. Bonus points if you have 2 services as not everyone can make the one time.
Remember, it is more blessed to give than receive. So this Christmas, let’s give the gift of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with our community. What are you planning on doing to reach out to your community this Christmas?
Jeremiah works as an Effectiveness Coach with the ABNWT District of the PAOC. He is a passionate and creative leader who believes that the church is the hope of the world. He uses collaboration, innovation, and inspiration to challenge churches and their leadership to engage in the only mission Jesus ever sent his church on: making disciples.