It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year—for a Christmas Event!
If you’re leading the ministry for women at your local church, you’re well aware that Christmas is right around the corner. One step into your favorite arts and craft store or hardware store and you’re immediately greeted with Christmas trees, decorations, and reminders that you are just weeks away from celebrating the birth of Christ.
For most leaders who want to plan a meaningful gathering during the holidays, it takes several months of planning and preparing. But, even if you haven’t made plans and are looking for a few ideas to incorporate at the last minute (or even for next year), here are some ideas of ways to connect women to one another and focus on Jesus’ birth.
Christmas Brunch
Last year I invited women from my church to share a morning at my home. Everyone chipped in to bring food, and it was a simple time of getting to know each other. The fellowship time was as good as the food, and everyone shared a favorite Christmas memory. It had been a while since the women of my church had gathered together, so this was not an elaborate event and the only cost was the time it took to prepare my home and open the door! If you want to make this kind of event a little more intentional, include an ornament exchange, share a white elephant gift, or swap a favorite cookie recipe.
Shopping with Purpose
These type of events take a lot more time to plan, but if your church is raising money for missions during the holidays or you want to help fund a specific ministry within the church, consider an event where women can shop for Christmas gifts with a portion of the proceeds dedicated to that purpose. For instance, the church I attended for many years has a shopping event called “The Gift Goes On.” Vendors from the community, as well as church members who are gifted in making home décor, sell items in a Christmas-themed wonderland. People shop knowing that a portion of what they spend goes toward a ministry in the church for families who are in the process of adopting children into forever families.
Plan an Advent Study Group
Lifeway Women has a new Advent study designed for women to either complete on their own or in a small group setting. Since this is a natural time for regular Bible studies to take a break, consider gathering a few friends and do the study together. Preparing your heart for Christmas and remembering the reason for the season is a great way not to lose focus of the birth of our Savior. To purchase the new study, shop here.
Get Together and Share Christmas Recipes
For many women, holidays also mean holiday baking. Consider gathering favorite recipes from women in your congregation and compile them into an attractive collection. Some of my favorite recipes are those I’ve received from women in my church who are excellent cooks. Make it an event by encouraging women to make the recipe to share with others and include a hot chocolate bar or favorite coffees.
Look for Those in Need
Adopt a family that might need a little extra help this season. You might know of a family that needs a little extra help purchasing a few gifts, but also consider how you can help another woman by offering to wrap her gifts or decorate her tree. Take a few friends and make Christmas deliveries, or spread some cheer to other women who need an extra dose of encouragement. You could even plan a worship night with Christmas carols to bless those in your community.
Bless College Students in Your Church
Want to encourage college students? Invite moms to meet to put together care packages for upcoming finals. I did this several years ago when I invited 12 moms with college-aged children to my home. We each brought a box for our child and then purchased 12 of the same items. We all shared what we brought, and we wrote notes to encourage students during an often stressful time.
Donate to Charitable Organizations Who Provide Gifts at Christmas
It’s not too late to organize an event where women bring items for Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. Supply the boxes and provide lists of items women can purchase. Make it a festive event focused on thinking of children in other countries. For more information, click here.
Whatever Christmas event you are planning this season, remember to focus on why we celebrate and giving glory to the One who came and dwelt among us!
Kelly King is the Manager of Magazines/Devotional Publishing and Women’s Ministry Training for Lifeway Women. She has a Master of Theology degree from Gateway Seminary. She has been involved in women’s ministry and led Bible studies for more than 30 years. A native Oklahoman, Kelly and her husband Vic enjoy kayaking and exploring their new state of Tennessee. She is the author of Ministry to Women: The Essential Guide to Leading Women in the Local Church and Living By Faith: Women Who Trusted God.
