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A Christmas Conundrum

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the perennial question for churches – what to do when Christmas falls on a Sunday? It may seem simple to just hold service as usual, since Christmas celebrates Christ’s birth. But attendance is likely to be low with family gatherings planned. So what’s a church to do?

There are several options to consider, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. One is to go ahead with the normal Sunday service. Though crowds will be smaller, it’s still a meaningful day to worship Jesus. Another is to hold Christmas Eve services instead, which some churches find draws even bigger crowds than Easter. Or, celebrate on another day that week, giving staff and attendees time off for the holiday weekend. Some churches even move their Christmas service up a whole weekend, though this means losing a week’s offering.

There’s no one right answer. The key is finding what works best for your particular congregation. Christmas is a joyous time of year, and with thought and care, your church can make the absolute most of it, whichever day you wind up celebrating. The holiday represents a precious opportunity to spread Christmas cheer, bolster faith, and attract new friends and family to share in the good news.

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