“Behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:10-11
Almost everyone LOVES to celebrate Christmas! This provides us with a wonderful opportunity to share the true reason for the season and spread the message of hope and joy. Effective evangelism is always rooted in relationships. The ideas below are designed to help you connect with others in meaningful ways. As you build these relationships, some may open up to deeper conversations about faith, and we’ve included options for that as well! As you explore these Christmas missional ideas, think about how to adapt them to fit your unique context. Choose a couple that resonate with you, and let’s make the most of this season to invite others to experience the fun and the wonder of Jesus!
1.Unique gifts party – Do you know anyone with a small business who sells handmade jewelry, cookies, cards, or other creative items? Consider hosting an event where they can showcase their products! This is a fantastic opportunity for others to come together, browse, and purchase unique gifts and fun stocking stuffers while supporting local artisans.
2. Cookie decorating or exchange party – Either provide the cookies and let people decorate them, or ask everyone to bring pre-made cookies and everyone gets to take a few of each home!
3. Gingerbread house making party.
4. Christmas decoration brunch – Host a crafting session and make something fun together like a Christmas wreath, ornaments, table centerpiece, etc.
5. Kids’ talent show.
6. Organize a doggy Christmas party – Have prizes for best outfit and trick.
7. Host a Christmas quiz, trivia, or bingo night.
8. Host a party where people swap recipes / dishes / stories.
9. White elephant party – A fun opportunity to exchange unwanted or silly gifts!
10. Host an “open house” – Ask people to bring a drink or snack to share.
11. Host an evening by the fire pit – Get everyone to share the highlights of this year and what they’re hoping for in the new year.
12. Birthday party for Jesus – Host a party with food, games, and a cake, and ask guests to bring a gift to donate to a child in need. This works very well for families with preschoolers or younger elementary age kids.
13. Have a Christmas sing-along – Invite people to sing, hear the Christmas story, or watch the neighborhood kids perform in a nativity play. Ask them to bring Christmas cookies to share.
14. Christmas caroling in the neighborhood – Think about who would like to do the singing and who would like to be sung to. You can end with hot chocolate and cookies, or even hand them out as you go!
15. Invite people to a local carol service, Christmas play, or a Christmas movie.
16. Organize a caravan of cars to view the Christmas lights – Pack up snacks and hot chocolate to have on the way.
17. Organize a Christmas-time hike – Or a game at the local park, or fun outing.
18. Rally neighbors to serve a needy household.
19. Organize a community giving event – E.g. ask people to bring donations for under-priveleged children.
20. Ask the Lord who in your community needs encouragement at this time – Who needs some extra love? Someone who’s lonely, a family who has suffered, local businesses who have struggled. Do something to encourage them specifically – take them cookies/cards/gift baskets or whatever would communicate love to them.
21. Reach out to those who are alone for the holidays – Invite them to join in for some part of your Christmas day, e.g. brunch, the main meal, or wine and dessert in the evening.
22. Chalk Christmas messages on a driveway or sidewalk.
23. Deliver cards and cookies to your people of peace.
24. Write prophetic Christmas cards – Hand write cards to friends and neighbors, and as you do so, ask the Holy Spirit for inspiration about what to write. Even if the recipients seem a long way from Jesus, you can use phrases such as, “As we enter a new year, my hope for you is…” and then share the prophetic insight without calling it that. If they are more open, you can introduce it with something like, “I’m praying for you all that…”.
25. Prophetic gift giving – Ask the Lord to inspire your gift giving e.g. you could give a peace lily and when you give it you could say “I’m praying that this would be a tangible sign of God’s peace in your home this year.”
26. Give $25 “seed money” – This will empower those you lead to invest in the place where they’re on mission through gifts, acts of service, or organizing a party.
27. Set aside the first days of January to intentionally pray and fast for your place of mission – Prayer walk (or drive) in that place and pray for opportunities to share Jesus this year.
Next Steps
- Which of these Christmas ideas are you going to do this month?
- Who else can help you?
- When will you do this?
- Make a detailed plan for what you need to do and by when.
- PRAY – before, during, and after!
