When you think of big days on the church calendar, the first one is always Easter. And depending on how you structure your kids’ ministry, your small groups or your summer schedule, you might think of early fall or the beginning of the year as the second biggest time.

Christmas has recently become a go-to time for evangelism and ministry, simply because it’s a highly attended stretch of services, especially for visitors. Sure, many of the newcomers are out-of-town visiting relatives. But there are others in your church’s sphere of influence who don’t have a church home but who may attend a service as we all celebrate Jesus’ birth.

That’s why it’s so important to maximize your service schedule, community outreach and follow-up around the Christmas season. For some churches, Christmas services are more traditional — a time to light candles and sing old hymns. Other churches like to put their most creative foot forward, going all out with musicals or dramas or light and sound shows.

Whichever side of this spectrum your church falls on, you should always view Christmas as an opportunity not only to celebrate Jesus but to share Him with those who have never met Him.

Here are some ways to maximize your Christmas activities this year. This week, we’ll talk about how to reach out to your community while getting your church fully invested and involved. In the coming weeks, we’ll look at scheduling the entire month of December and how to lead an effective follow-up.

Help Those in Need

Whether your outreach is big or small, you have an amazing opportunity in front of you to do something of eternal worth at Christmastime.

You may hear testimonies of other churches, some right in your city, doing incredible giveaways to those in need, feeding Christmas dinner to hundreds of hungry people, giving out thousands of gifts to young children, or even staging citywide campaigns all on their own. But don’t let that distract you from the power your own church has to affect others.

Start with this simple directive: Do what you can do. You may have the resources to pull off a large-scale event. If that’s the case, I hope you consider giving generously to your community. But if you have limited resources, there are still great ways to make a difference.

First, think about partnering with aid agencies in your city. Often, those groups have the money and material but lack manpower. Pick a time and place to offer your own church members as the feet and hands behind their effort, and get busy. It may be a secular charity, but when Christ’s people get involved, good things happen.

You have an amazing opportunity to do something of eternal worth at Christmastime.

Another way to partner is by banding together with other churches of similar size and vision. Find a way to combine your resources to give the most good to your community. After all, the community is the whole point of your outreach.

Whatever you decide to do, make sure it’s focused on the neighbors right outside your door. Christmas is a great time to let them know you’re not only there, but you’re there for them, and you really care about them.

Reach the Lost

The first goal of any outreach is to meet immediate needs. That may be a meal, clothing, Christmas gifts, or even just a needed break and some entertainment. But in meeting that immediate need, you open the door to meet a greater need. Make any outreach an evangelism opportunity.

Our focus should always be on Jesus, especially at Christmas. If your church is directing an outreach event on your campus, it’s a no-brainer that those showing up have given you permission to talk to them about Jesus.

Make sure the message is loud and clear, and give everyone an opportunity to respond. In fact, you might even want to give those who accept Jesus a chance to be baptized right then and there. Don’t be afraid to invite lost people to Jesus at Christmas.

Even if your event is off campus, work with your partners to find a way to incorporate meeting a spiritual need. It may be as simple as including in promotional materials an invitation to a Christmas service. Or ask for a chance to pray a blessing over the meal.

Again, don’t be afraid to ask, but remain respectful. Creating good will with your community partners will go a long way toward opening spiritual doors in the future.

Get Your Church Involved

Outreach is always an opportunity, not just for those whose needs are being met but also for those who are meeting their needs. This is the time to get your members out of their seats and actively volunteering. This is the time to show them how to be generous with their time, talent and treasure.

We often say it’s better to give than to receive. And when it comes to reaching people for Jesus, it’s just as true. Give your church members the gift of giving this year. Let them know of tangible ways they can donate their time to help others. Get them on board with using their best talents to reach the lost. And don’t forget about the power of simple offerings that can go a long way, storing up treasure in eternity.

December is not a month to take off. Many of your people will have busy schedules. They may be on the road visiting family or going on vacation. And many of your staff members will likely travel as well.

However, encourage people not to skip church altogether. And remind them that even if they are planning to be away, they can support the church’s outreach efforts by giving, praying and inviting people to attend.

Christmas can be a season in which people in your community struggle the most with stress, depression and family issues. But it’s also a time when churches may slow down and miss important opportunities. Don’t let that happen. The church should be the loudest and most present when the needs are the greatest.

By planning a community outreach, you can provide a rallying point for everyone to get connected and stay connected during the busiest month of the year. And you’re also ensuring that many more people have the opportunity to enter God’s kingdom during the most wonderful time of the year.