By this point, you've probably done most of the Christmas communications work, and now you've switched into prep mode.

But as a reminder — you DO have the Christmas Mass times on your website, right?

*Runs to check own church's website to be sure*

Now, let me ask you...why did you do all of that promotional work?

(Besides the fact that it's your job, whether your official one or one of the "other duties as assigned.")

I'm guessing it's because of the reason you started working in the Church in the first place: To bring people to Jesus.

Now I want you to ask yourself: Is your church set to bring them to Jesus on December 25?

Not just get them into the pew — but actually have an encounter with Jesus that leaves them wanting more.

Because I think we spend so much time getting people to Mass on the 25th that we forget about December 29th.

I talk about this all the time, and I'll talk about it probably until the Second Coming: We have to know, and communicate, what we want people to do next.

If the only call to action you're giving people at the end of Mass is "Go in peace," your Mass attendance on December 29th will be the same that it is on December 22nd.

Because let's be honest: No one's heart is being changed by sitting in a squeaky folding chair in the overflow Mass.

(I mean, nothing is impossible for God, but it's pretty unlikely.)

So we got them to Mass on Christmas. But did we help them to know Jesus better? Did they leave wanting to grow in their relationship with Him?

If not, then I would argue there was very little point in getting them to Christmas Mass at all.

It's up to Jesus to convert people. That's not our job.

Our job is to help make the conditions right so that people will actually give Him a chance to speak to them.

And listen, unless you're one of our incredible priests (thank you, thank you, thank you for all you do!), you probably don't have control over the homily.

Or where people get squished into pews.

Or the toilets getting clogged during the 4 pm Mass.

At this point, you're probably not even going to be able to throw together an Alpha or ChristLife program for seekers in January (but if you can, please please please do. And promote it at Christmas. Your target audience is right there!).

But there are still things you can do, right now, this week, to help people have an encounter with the Lord this Christmas, or at least not prevent them from having that encounter because they're distracted by a bad experience.

I'm talking about little things: clearly marked signs for bathrooms and parking. A simple evangelization-focused guide to Mass in the pews for people to read while they wait. A box for prayer requests.

If you want to level up, you can even put together a page on your website of resources like Formed, Bible in a Year, Word on Fire, etc. Print up signs with a QR code with something intriguing like "What to read on December 26" or "The #1 thing to do after Christmas Mass."

(Bonus bonus points: Have them give you their email address on the page so you can send them access and now they're on your communication list for updates. Win-win.)

And then tell them you want to see them back on December 29! Not in a judgy, it's-an-obligation, we're-here-every-week way, but in a genuine way of invitation.

In person, in the announcements, on signs, in the bulletin, in a postcard stuck in each of the missals — invite them back. Don't just assume they know!

And give them a reason to! Tease what the homily will be about, especially if it's something that could help them with a problem they're facing in their life. Host a donuts and coffee afterwards. Tell them how the encounter they have with Jesus (and His peace and joy) on Christmas can be experienced again at the next Mass.

(Yes, I know the real reason is Jesus in the Eucharist. But they're not there yet. We have to answer THEIR question of why return, not what we know the actual reason why is.)

I know you've got a million to-do's this week. But can you do one thing for me?

Can you take 15 minutes to plan one way you'll invite people to come back this Christmas?

Bring them to Jesus this Christmas...and then give them the tools they need to encounter Him.

For His greater glory,

Emily

This was quite possibly the best article on evangelization I read all year. I love all of Dan's insights from Catholic Leadership Institute, but this one was incredibly profound. If you hate going to the dentist or have a passion for evangelization, you need to read this. If you're wondering what people returning to Church this Christmas are looking for, you need to read this. If you're a human, you need to read this. It's that good. Read article