I still remember my very first Christmas in ministry. A church hired me to be the children’s ministry intern (there was no children’s ministry director) during my last year in college. I was expected to put on a Christmas play with the elementary school kids. I gathered about 20 kids on Saturday afternoons to practice for a month prior to the Christmas Eve service.
In hindsight, I have fond memories of that time. However, I also remember being stressed and feeling overwhelmed. In fact, one of the memories that’s etched into my brain is getting frustrated with the kids for not listening.
I recall telling the kids to take a 15-minute break. I just needed time to calm down and regroup. When we resumed, the kids brought me snacks that they had “whipped up” in the kitchen. That was sweet of them. From what I can remember, the kids were cute, and everyone loved the Christmas play. That was in 1994.
That wasn’t the first Christmas play I had led. In fact, I led a handful in the first 10 years of my ministry. There were definitely some memorable moments. One that stands out is when one of the sheep had a bloody nose just as he was getting ready to make his entrance.
In a panic, he began to cry and actually drowned out his brother’s solo. And then he panicked and also knocked down a couple of stage props. Oh, memories…
I smile with fondness each time I stroll down memory lane. That smile is also followed by, “Thank goodness I don’t have to do those anymore.”
Celebrate Advent with Ornaments and Coloring
Celebrate Advent with Ornaments and Coloring
Celebrate Advent with Ornaments and Coloring
Take Time to Reflect
I love Christmas! I love everything about Christmas—from decorations to Christmas Eve service to family gatherings to music. However, the first time I ever dreaded Christmas was when I knew I had to direct a Christmas musical … again—it felt like the hundredth time.
I found myself losing the joy of the season and praying for Christmas to come and go quickly. I hated the fact that I felt this way, and I needed to take an inventory of why I felt so miserable during what should have been the best time of the year.
I want Christmas to be a season where I can exude joy, peace, and celebration that’s overflowing from my heart.
It didn’t take long to realize that it was the Christmas musical that was making me feel this way. As the Children’s Pastor, I felt even worse. I felt burnt out, and I was guilt ridden for dreading the celebration of the birth of our Savior.
I needed time to examine my heart. After much reflection, it was clear that my stress and lack of joy came from the pressure to do something I was not wired to do. It’s good to challenge myself at times. I also need to make sure that I’m serving out of my strengths rather than forcing myself to do everything out of expectations based on someone else’s strengths.
This realization profoundly changed the way I approached my role. I don’t want Christmas to be about a list of things I have to do. Instead, I want Christmas to be a season where I can exude joy, peace, and celebration that’s overflowing from my heart.
I also need to make sure that I’m serving out of my strengths rather than forcing myself to do everything out of expectations based on someone else’s strengths.
Focus
The following year, I recruited an intern who is highly gifted in music production to take the lead in directing the Christmas musical. Not only was she able to exercise her gifting, but I started to love the Christmas season in my role again.
I was able to equip and empower her to lead the kids. This was a win for everyone!
I wasn’t stressed, and I no longer dreaded a favorite season. My intern got to live and lead out of her passion and strengths. The kids had a better leader who led with joy and not frustration. The musical was better than anything I could have directed. And we were all able to focus more on the meaning of Christmas.
Lead with Strengths
I have been in ministry to kids, youths, and families for 28 years now. One thing I’ve learned over and over is that I’m at my best when I lead out of the overflow of my personal strengths. Of course, there are tasks that I am responsible for that may not be my strengths.
However, recognizing how God has wired and gifted me and utilizing those giftings not only allows me to experience God in greater ways but also brings about more effective and efficient ministry to those I am ministering to. The benefit it brings to everyone far outweighs the cost of energy, time, and resources.
This principle has served as a filter for the way I do ministry—especially during the holiday seasons. There are so many events and activities you can do in the church. However, just because you can, doesn’t mean you have to do them all.
If your church decides that they want a Christmas musical, but you’re not gifted to lead a musical, recruit someone who can lead out of their strengths. If you have the freedom to do anything you’d like, evaluate where you can best use your passion and giftings.
Then you can usher your kids and families into focusing on the meaning of Christmas rather than just putting together an event because other churches or ministries are doing them.
Thoughtful Opportunities
One year, we decided to create an Advent family devotional to be used along with a few supplies we provided with the devotionals in a kit. We decided that we didn’t want to add any additional events during an already busy season.
The parents appreciated that, instead of adding to their calendars, we created an opportunity for family time to be built into their weekly rhythm. This was even more meaningful for them than a church-wide event. Oftentimes, less is more. We felt that this was a big win for both staff and families.
Christmas celebrations don’t need to look the same each year or for every church.
Let Christmas be a time when families and leaders alike can reflect on and celebrate the birth of our Savior.
