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The weeks leading up to Christmas in ministry can feel a bit crazy with endless to-do lists, planning meetings and late-night work. Everyone’s moving fast, trying to make sure the details come together because we care deeply about helping people experience the beauty of Jesus’ birth.

But sometimes, even with the best intentions, we can forget that the people serving right beside us need our care too. The worship leader who’s exhausted. The kids’ director who’s feeling unseen. The tech person who's running on caffeine and adrenaline. The pastor who’s carrying quiet grief into the holiday season.

The first Christmas was full of people coming together around one mission ... to meet and worship Jesus. Shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph. Different people, different stories, one Savior.

Abiding with Jesus isn’t just personal or private, it shows up in how we love and lead others too. A healthy team grows out of love that is patient, kind, forgiving and real. The kind of love that can only come from Jesus Himself.

So as you serve this season, remember that abiding with Him means walking in love with one another. Whether your team is two people or twenty, take a moment to look around, encourage someone else and celebrate what God is doing through you and your church together.

Encouragement as you Abide

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:34–35

"When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child."
Luke 2:17

Space and Time for Reflection

Abiding together starts with seeing one another the way Jesus sees us with compassion and grace, not comparison and expectation.

What if the best gift you could give your team this Christmas isn’t another polished event but a word of encouragement, a quick “thank you” or a shared laugh in the middle of a long week?

Questions for Reflection

• How can you encourage or care for someone on your team this week?

• What does love look like in your ministry context right now ... especially when everyone’s tired?

A Prayer for Today

Jesus,

Thank you for the people I get to serve with. Teach me to love them the way you love me - with grace, patience and joy. Let our team reflect your heart this Christmas so that everything we do points back to you.

Amen.