Last Updated on December 25, 2021 by Pastor Ikechukwu Chinedum
The church is the bedrock of the Christian faith. It is the vehicle that drives people to salvation. During this period of festivity, when the world is celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the church has a role to play. The church has a duty to perform during this time.
The Christmas period is a time the church can reach out extensively to its immediate community. This period is not just to celebrate with family and friends alone, it is also a perfect moment to engage the community. Christmas reminds us of the love of the Father and how He sent His only begotten son to die for the sin of the world. In the same vein, the church has a role to play during the yuletide.
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While it is easy to get caught up in preparation for Christmas as individuals and as a church, we must ensure to do the right thing. Engaging the community plays a vital role in shaping the image of the church. To that end, we will highlight 5 things the church must do during the yuletide.
5 Things Church Must Do During Yuletide
Plan a Christmas Program
The period of Christmas is a good time the church can engage the community. Even those that don’t worship in the church will want to be involved in the church program at this time.
Your church can host a Christmas program that will see the entire community forming a choir to sing for the event. This will get everyone engaged and create a special kind of savor that will make the community people anticipate for the next Christmas.
The truth about Christmas is that it is a period to bridge every gap and mend all broken parts. Even in the community of people that love doesn’t really exist, this type of Christmas program can help mend the broken part and foster peace and unity among the affected people. This is what Christianity is about, this is what Christmas is about, this is what Christ preached.
Give Out Gifts
Acts 20:35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
The tenet of Christ’s mission here on earth is based on charity and love. Little wonder Jesus stated that among all commandments, love is the greatest. If Christmas is about remembering the life of Jesus, such remembrance would not be complete without a work of the charity.
One of the missions of the early church is to alleviate the sufferings of the people around through charity. There are so many missionary schools, hospitals, and diverse establishments. It is rather unfortunate to see today that most churches have shifted their gaze from giving out, they rather focus their attention on taking in.
While the yuletide should not be the only time the church should do charity, Christmas is a season of love and charity. From what the church has acquired from the beginning of the year, they can give back to the community. This can come in form of gifts. Packaging different gifts to be given out to different people in the community. Also, it could come in form of a community development project.
The church is part of the community. They understand the pain of the community. The church can set aside an amount to deal with community development.
Host Holiday Market
A holiday market is a festivity that allows locals to market their products and services for free. It is also a means for the church to reach out to persons who don’t worship with them. Local artists, craftsmen, and artisans can bring their works to the church for sale.
The holiday market is a big festivity that most people would look up to every year. Meanwhile, it is also a means of evangelizing the gospel of Christ. Teaching people that in the body of Christ, there is no segregation or discrimination.
Indulge In Christmas Parade
The church can make the Christmas parade the duty of the youth ministry. It is a walk for Christmas where young men and women in the church dress up in different Christmas costumes. Through this medium, the church can reach out to diverse people.
There can be fliers and banners to let people know about your church activities and also, about the special Christmas programs the church is planning. This Christmas parade increases the publicity of the church and it helps to create awareness for the church programs.
Host Christmas Carol
What is a Christmas without a carol service? Church Christmas program is never complete without the carol program. You can make fliers for the publicity of the carol service. The carol can either happen in the church or outside and you can do both.
Carol’s service outside the church could be in a nursing home for the benefit of those that can’t go out. The church can bring the carol to their doorsteps to give them a feeling of belonging and let them know they are loved and cherished. It could also be at the hospital.
The duty of the church goes beyond gathering people for prayer every Sunday. The church is the bedrock of the Christian faith. When Christ said in the book of Luke 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. The church is expected to rule in all spheres. When there is pain, anger, and resentment, the church has the capacity to help the affected part.
Conclusion
Christmas is just one of the seasons to show love and appreciation. However, showing love and care should not end at Christmas. We must endeavor to show love and concern to people all the time.
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