Tips for Christmas service leaders

Here are some suggestions for service leaders on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, times when many churches expect a very large number of visitors and guests.

1. Warmth and friendliness is always important in leading any public Christian gathering. Nothing that follows should be taken as undermining that great desire. Smile lots. 
2. In my opinion, crispness and clarity are important, especially on occasions like this. Please avoid waffle. A sentence of Scripture appropriate to the occasion is an excellent way to begin any Christian service—but a sentence, not a paragraph. 
   Mostly all that’s needed is concise introductions for songs and other segments (if any at all). I think a special occasion like Christmas is a time for simplicity in our engagement with God and each other. Let the power of the carols and Bible readings etc. speak for themselves.
3. Try to be a bit creative in introducing carols, not just: “Our next carol is [insert first line]”. You don’t need to announce each title, because it will be obvious from the screen! You could try things like: “Our next carol encourages us to listen carefully to those angels who first visited the shepherds so long ago”. Maybe a sentence of Scripture from the last lesson that leads nicely into the carol: “This carol enables us to sing “glory to God” with the angels…”
   But keep it to a single sentence or two, not a sermonette. If the choice was between waffling or simply announcing the title of the next song or segment, I’d just announce the title. 
   You will only be able to do this if you have thought about each carol’s words in advance, and have rehearsed what you want to say in your mind at least a couple of times. 
4. Make sure that the ushers are ready to ask people to seat themselves in a way that leaves space at the aisle end for those who come in late.
5. Give everyone time—meaningful time—to write something on the comment cards if they wish. For example, after the sermon you could offer a time for reflection and prayer, or for reaction via the comment cards (feedback or requests for pastoral follow up as people wish). Then ensure you pause for 30-45 seconds. 
6. Announce the collection only of the comment cards before the last carol (or whenever you have designated the ‘collection’ carol). You do not need to say anything about offertory or financial collection. Just say, “We will collect the comment cards during this carol, so please pass the bag along so others can put in their cards.” (If someone puts a monetary gift in, that’s their unasked generosity.)
7. Keep notices brief and concise. It is not a time for in-house notices. Wish them a joyful Christmas and refreshment and safe travel over the holiday period. Remind them—concisely—of any special summer service times. You don’t need to explain it, just tell them. If there’s anything else, think very carefully about whether it’s needed or appropriate to this occasion. 
8. Conclude strongly with a concise prayer or a blessing. If there is anything else you wish to say at the conclusion, for example, about picking up a Gospel of Luke, keep it brief (did I already say that?), and do it before the final prayer, which then brings decisive closure. 

Well, I’ve given my strong opinions. I’d be glad to hear your thoughts or ideas or suggestions or questions too from any of you on the Facebook page.