Christmastime is here, which has people wondering, “How do churches celebrate Christmas?”
The Advent season is an important time for the global church to celebrate Jesus Christ and remember his birth. This is also a time when communities connect with more people to share God’s hope, peace, joy and love.
In 2024, multiple survey sources said 30% of U.S. adults attended church regularly throughout the year. However, according to a Lifeway Research study in the same time period, “Forty-seven percent of U.S. adults say they typically attend church at Christmastime.” Christmas allows churches to lean into a posture of hospitality and welcome those who are less connected.
Across the world, churches celebrate Christmas through a variety of traditions. Our U.S. Mennonite Brethren family also experiences diverse ways of gathering.
Music is a major part of the Christmas tradition, and many churches celebrate by singing carols, hosting cantatas and remembering the birth of Jesus through children’s plays. Beyond our church congregations, Tabor College has a long-standing tradition of performing Handel’s Messiah, and Fresno Pacific University’s “Lessons and Carols” is a much-loved gathering for students and alumni.
Christmas is also a time congregations prioritize gathering and celebrating with food and fellowship. Some churches host potlucks or catered meals (a few with table games included!) while others meet for special activities led by other organizations around town.
A women’s group from Abundant Hope Christian Center in Downey, California, is preparing a Christmas brunch at a local event center with food, conversation and a silent auction. Georgia Waggoner says the church’s desire is to provide “fellowship for believers, outreach for those who don’t know the Lord and raising funds for missions.”
Every church I heard from shared they intentionally mark the season with generosity, giving both locally and globally. A few groups collect items for their city’s unsheltered population, and others partner with groups like Mennonite Central Committee to send supplies overseas.
Every year North Oak Community Church in Hays, Kansas, participates in “Advent Conspiracy” and chooses a project to support—from building beds for foster children to sending encouraging gifts to local teachers. Discipleship Pastor Dave Kumer points out that in addition to fundraising, the church can “get our people involved more intimately or personally” with hands-on help.
A meaningful tradition for churches worldwide is holding Christmas services. Many USMB congregations meet on Christmas Eve to worship with scripture, Advent reflections and candlelit songs. Author Ann Voskamp reminds us, “The real wonder of Christmas is that we don’t have to make Christmas magical—when we simply enter into the wonder of what’s scriptural.”
Receive and share God’s invitation to celebrate this season. Join with the choir, and proclaim the joy of Jesus’ birth: “Glory to God in highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).
Caitlin Friesen is a native of Fresno, California, and a 2023 graduate of Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary. She has a passion for Jesus and a heart for children, both of which has been put to use as a backpacking guide, camp counselor and as associate pastor of children and family ministries at North Fresno Church. In September 2017, she and her husband, Ben, moved to Topeka, Kansas, where Ben serves as lead pastor at Cornerstone Community Church.
