For many churches, Christmas is one of the biggest opportunities of the year to reach their community. Services are full, guests are walking through the doors for the first time, and your congregation is eager to celebrate the season. But planning a service that truly connects with people can feel overwhelming.
That’s why we themed our latest Healthy Church Summit around “Season to Shine.” This free online event was designed to help ministry leaders make the most of this important season with clarity and confidence. Leaders from across the country joined us to share practical strategies they’ve used in discipleship, technology, leadership, outreach, and more.
One of those voices was Ben Stapley — a seasoned pastor, consultant, and creative strategist with over 20 years of experience helping churches craft meaningful and memorable worship experiences. In his main session talk, Ben shared practical wisdom for planning Christmas services that truly connect with both your congregation and first-time guests. In this blog post, we’ll recap five of his top insights — and there’s even more to discover in the full on-demand recording.
About Ben Stapley
For over 20 years Ben Stapley has created & captured moving and memorable moments for individuals, non-profits & corporations across the globe. Some of the fields he has worked in include pastoring, preaching, speaking, videography, photography, blogging, reporting & producing. He also consults for churches and speaks at conferences about leadership, communication and creativity.
Here are five key takeaways from this session that will help you plan a memorable Christmas service at your church:
1. Plan, Promote, but Most Importantly, Pray
“Make sure that you’re planning, promoting, and praying for your big events.”
Most churches work hard to plan meaningful Christmas services and promote them to their congregation and community. But Ben emphasizes that prayer is just as essential — and often overlooked. More than smooth logistics or strong attendance, the ultimate goal is to see lives transformed. That’s why prayer should cover every step of the season.
Consider ways to involve your whole church in prayer – not just staff. You could organize a 12-day prayer focus leading up to Christmas or invite small groups to pray specifically for guests who will attend. When prayer becomes a shared effort, your congregation feels ownership in the mission.
2. Remember the Power of an Invitation
“If you invite a friend or family member to a Christmas service, 82% of people say they would attend.”
Christmas is the easiest time of year to extend an invitation to church. People are already open to seasonal traditions, and most will gladly attend if asked by someone they know. Encourage your congregation to be bold, make the ask, and see this season as an opportunity to share the hope of Christ.
Go beyond the pulpit announcement. Provide ready-made resources your congregation can actually use: a short text template, social media graphics, or physical invite cards. By lowering the barrier, you empower people to take that simple but life-changing step of inviting.
3. Make Guests Feel Comfortable
“Tell them what’s going to happen, tell them as it’s happening, and then tell them what just happened.”
For many guests, Christmas may be their first church service in years — or ever. Avoid making them feel like outsiders by over-communicating in a gracious way. From explaining what’s coming next to welcoming them warmly, thoughtful hospitality goes a long way in helping people feel at ease.
Don’t underestimate the power of signage and volunteers. Clear wayfinding signs for parking, children’s check-in, and restrooms – combined with friendly greeters at every entrance – can make guests feel confident instead of confused. Sometimes hospitality speaks louder than words.
4. Lean Into Familiar Music
“Whatever your worship team wants to do with carols, double it. That’s what your congregation wants.”
When it comes to Christmas worship, people crave familiarity. Beloved carols and classics like Silent Night connect deeply and create a sense of tradition. Ben encourages worship teams to set aside personal preferences and design setlists around what will resonate most with the congregation and guests.
Consider weaving carols into multiple parts of the service beyond the main worship set — a prelude, a children’s choir, or even a candlelight moment. When people hear the songs they grew up with, it creates a bridge between tradition and the timeless gospel message.
5. Preach with the End in Mind
“Start with the end in mind and then reverse engineer… Don’t miss the opportunity for a salvation moment.”
Christmas services often bring in guests who may only attend once or twice a year. Ben encourages pastors to design their sermons with intentionality, beginning with the desired outcome – a clear gospel invitation – and working backward to craft the message. Rather than only offering inspiration, make sure the message points people toward Jesus and provides a clear next step.
Think about how to frame the Christmas story in a way that connects with both first-time guests and longtime members. Sharing personal stories, using accessible language, and keeping the gospel at the center ensures your message resonates broadly. A well-prepared call to action – whether an altar call, a prayer, or a simple invitation to return – gives people a tangible way to respond.
Final Encouragement
Ben Stapley closed his session by reminding leaders to focus on both the destination (the Christmas service itself) and the journey of getting there. The way you treat your staff, volunteers, and even yourself during the planning process matters just as much as the service you’re creating.
The five insights here are just a taste of Ben’s practical and pastoral wisdom. In his full talk, he unpacks even more strategies to help churches design services that are meaningful, memorable, and gospel-centered.
Ready to hear the full conversation with Ben?
You can watch the entire Main Session and much more by accessing The Healthy Church Summit on-demand now.
