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Christmastime is a season when people are more open to spiritual conversations, church activities, generosity and providing good things for their family. Are you meeting people there with an intentional online strategy?

We tend to have well-worn paths and traditions when it comes to Christmas. We continue family traditions, watch the same movies, eat the same food, listen to the same music, set up the same decorations, and follow the same shopping patterns. We were created to be rhythmic beings, so it’s not particularly surprising.

Traditions and routines can be the same way in the Church concerning Christmas. That’s not always a bad thing, but are we missing opportunities to use digital tools to connect with and encourage new people in your community? My guess is the answer is, “yes.”

Here are seven ways your church can leverage digital tools to make the most of this festive season and connect with people beyond your church walls.

1. Target an Outside Audience Through Social Ads 

The Christmas season is a fantastic time to connect with new people through your events. It’s important to ensure that you're spending time, energy and resources on the right events – events designed to reach those in your community. Once you’ve planned the right event, social media is a great place to promote your events. 

Create ads specifically targeted to an audience you’re positioned to serve. Also, use geographic targeting that allows you to select a radius around your church. Use social media ads to reach people who might not be regular attendees but are looking for something special to do this season. A well-timed ad with eye-catching visuals can invite them to your Christmas services or events, making them feel welcomed even before they step through your doors.

2. Create a Christmas Landing Page

Create a dedicated landing page on your website for all things Christmas. This page should serve as a hub of information for an external audience. Include information about service times, special events, how to get involved and what to expect. Make it easy for people to find what they need and to get excited about what’s happening at your church.

Take nothing for granted! Write this page’s content assuming that people know nothing about your church. This is the time of year when it’s mostly likely for this to be true. A clear, informative landing page is a great way to remove barriers to an in-person visit. 

3. Provide Advent/Christmas FAQs

Does your church talk about Advent? You’d probably be surprised to find out how many of your attendees don’t know the full meaning of Advent. To others, the concept of Advent is brand new. 

A well-crafted “Frequently Asked Questions” section can help demystify Advent and Christmas for newcomers and provide a welcoming introduction to the season’s significance. Use this as an opportunity to share why Advent is important and how it fits into the broader Christmas story. If nothing else, this can be a great resource to help people in and around your community learn and grow.

4. Promote Bible Reading Plans

The Christmas season is busy, but a short and simple Bible reading plan can help people stay connected to the true meaning of the season. Offer a reading plan that people can follow at their own pace, providing spiritual nourishment amidst the holiday hustle and bustle.

There are lots of good Bible plans that have already been created or you can create your own. The important thing is that you provide both a free resource and the encouragement for people to commit to it. 

5. Provide Free Devotionals

Consider creating or sharing Advent devotionals in podcasts, blog posts or other online formats. These can offer deeper reflections and insights into the season, providing your audience with a chance to engage more deeply with the story of Jesus’ birth from the comfort of their home. 

Again, this works best as a free resource to build trust with an outside audience. Your own congregation can benefit and invite others to participate as well. This is a low-commitment connection point or bridge of sorts for someone who might be reluctant to take the step of attending an in-person event.

6. Start an Online Study in a Facebook Group

The next step up from a Bible reading plan or personal devotional is to create a simple study group through a Facebook Group. Use a Christmas or Advent curriculum with reading assignments or videos and facilitate conversation with participants through the group.

This can be a great way for people at your church to go deeper, but it’s also a great way to help newcomers feel part of the church community. The study could culminate with an in-person gathering at one of your Christmas events, providing another low stress opportunity for people to connect in-person. 

7. Online Services

If you are not providing an online service yet, streaming services leading up to Christmas is a great connection point for people exploring seasonal events at your church. Before people commit to attending in person, they might want to experience your church’s services from afar. Offering online services or streaming options can help people feel more comfortable before coming to your church for the first time.

If you haven’t had a chance to prioritize online services yet, this is a great option for Christmas, but also the rest of the year. A church’s website is the front door and online services are a great “welcome to our home” conversation for a guest. It’s an important tool for making initial connections!

By embracing these digital tools, you can enhance your church’s outreach and make meaningful connections with people in your community this Christmas season.

Let’s not shy away from the chance to have an online strategy in place with the purpose of connection. Use these digital tools to create opportunities to share the joy and hope of Christ’s birth far and wide! Curious what this could look like for you? We love connecting with new churches and would welcome a conversation.