5. Have an “Adopt an Angel” tree
A popular tradition for many churches is to create an “Adopt an Angel” tree and provide Christmas gifts for kids that may not otherwise get any. Hope Church in Las Vegas, Nev., has a different spin on their Angel Tree by specifically reaching out to children and families of inmates. They even use this ministry to develop year-round relationships with these families. This is a great way for your church to impact your community and come alongside those in need.
6. Partner with a local soup kitchen
Alongside the members of your church, provide a hot meal for the displaced people in your community. If you don’t have space inside your church to serve food to a large group of people, then either partner with a local soup kitchen or donate food to a charity that serves the homeless in your city.
7. Go caroling!
Gather your worship vocalists and any volunteers who love to sing and go caroling in the neighborhoods near your church. You could pass out postcards for your church’s Christmas Eve service. Or, go one step further and bring joy to those who aren’t able to get out by caroling at a local nursing home or a hospital.
8. Host a coat drive
The Christmas season gets very cold, and not all people are fortunate enough to be able to buy the things they need to stay warm. Do a warm clothes drive and ask your congregation to bring coats, thick shirts and pants, socks, gloves, hats, blankets, etc. for all ages, then donate them to a local homeless shelter, charity or families in your church you know are in need.
9. Help with gift-wrapping
Everyone likes to open gifts, but not everyone enjoys wrapping them! Create gift-wrapping stations where the people who live and work nearby can drop off their presents and have them wrapped by members of the church. This is a great way to bring in new people who haven’t stepped foot in your church and reduce some of the holiday busyness for those in your church community.
10. Plan a parents’ night out event
Christmas shopping is hard, and it is even harder to shop for your kids when childcare is not easily accessible. Have some volunteers offer a parents’ night out so they can get their Christmas shopping done. This can be fun for the kids, too. They can watch a Christmas movie, have a gingerbread-decorating contest and play Christmas-themed games. This is also a great opportunity for kids to hear the story of Jesus and why we celebrate Christmas.
11. Help the local schools
Schools do so much for our next generation. Offer to serve the schools that need a little extra help. You and some church members can paint the lunchroom for the end of the semester or help provide books to encourage learning—whatever end-of-the-semester projects they need completed. This not only helps the students, but it also helps the teachers and the parents. It serves your community while bringing more awareness of your church.
These are all creative and fun ways to love your neighbor and shine the light of Jesus and His coming to Earth. Celebrating the Christmas season with your church members, as well as your surrounding community, is the perfect way to end 2015 and jump into the New Year!
What are some of your church’s favorite ways to celebrate Christmas and reach out to your community?
