Christmas time is a sparkling opportunity to contrast the stereotypes about Christianity with the real person of Jesus. Unlike Easter, Christmas has always been the holiday when people are a little more open to faith and open to church.
This Christmas, make it possible for your congregation to bring church to their family.
A Perspective in a Pear Tree
People like to share remarkable things. How can you make an online Christmas experience remarkable?
What online Christmas experience could you create that would reach people outside the faith and outside the church? What could you design that your attenders would love to share with their families and friends?
Two Fertile Loves
1. Wrap it in elements of nostalgia. As humans, we love tradition, and research has shown that it’s actually hard wired into us. We love it so much that in 2010, a study from Northwestern University found that up to 93% of our actions are predictable. Tradition makes us feel safe, and we’re actually mentally healthier when we participate in traditions.
Part of tradition and nostalgia includes the imagery of Christmas. Think trees, snow, stars, presents, candles, and carollers. All those pieces make us feel nostalgic about Christmas. 2020 has people longing for a happier time.
So leverage that feeling this Christmas. Engage emotion.
2. Make it continuously engaging.
Think, “Talk Show” not “Billy Graham Crusade”. For each segment ask: “Do I love this? Is it irresistibly engaging?” Test the content out on people. Keep what engages. Leave the rest on the cutting room floor.
As you plan Christmas content remember that kids are in the room. If you are going to use carols in your broadcast, think “Joy to the World,” “Oh, Come All Ye Faithful” or “Silent Night,” those tried and true traditional Christmas songs. Not the outliers, like “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” or “Angels From the Realms of Glory.”
Don’t over stylize the carols. Engage people who choose to sing along by making songs singable.
Three Hench Whens
1. Prerecord the experience. More people will engage with on demand than a live stream, because they can fit it into their holiday schedule. For some, your Christmas production will be viewed on December 26th. Or 27th. Or 23rd.
2. Err on the side of being too short instead of too long. Use the template of a 26-minute (or less), made for TV Christmas special, without commercials.
3. Assess as you produce. Ensure the video, audio, and technology, are of the highest quality possible.
Start now on your production.
Four Golden Wrings
1. Wring out all churchy language.
2. Wring the value out of familiar community landmarks by using them as backdrops in your production. Include Christmas greetings from well-known citizens.
3. Wring out anything that is controversial in any way and could bring tension to a family gathering. Choose a relevant subject for a 3 or 4-minute message. Point people to Jesus.
Seek to transform, not inform. Speak to the heart.
4. Wring all the hope you can out of the Christmas story.
The season of Christmas 2020 is prime time when people disconnected to your church will tune in when you give them a remarkable reason.
Thanks to Tony Morgan at the Unstuck group to help us re-imagine Christmas.
Bob Jones is the founder of REVwords.com, an author, blogger, and coach with 39 years of pastoral experience. Bob is also an Advance Coach with the ABNWT Resource Centre. You can connect with Bob here.