How To Do Christmas in a Recession
Christmas season is coming quickly. How can churches creatively tell the Christmas story in worship this year? One way is to make connections between the current financial climate and the economic difficulties of Jesus’ day.
Make no mistake, Jesus’ beginnings were humble. We’ve heard it a thousand times, but the shocking nature of the birth remains – he was born in a barn and placed in a feeding trough. It’s not like they didn’t have regular beds back in the day. The King of Kings wasn’t born in a castle or a palace. Instead, baby Jesus took his first breath in the filth and stench of a barn.
If you’re looking for something to connect with your congregation this year, look no further. So that we might know true abundance, God knew poverty. So that we might experience the richness of life, God got dirty. The Christmas story is hope for anyone who’s ever struggled to make ends meet. Tell about the God of Humble Beginnings this year.
We’ve got the video by itself available for the first time for $18, or for only $30 (regularly $75!) through November 6, get a bunch of additional items, including:
- versions with and without narrator
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- version ready for broadcast television
- customizable, radio-ready audio file
- matching loop / motion background
- two matching sets of still images
- editable Adobe Photoshop / Elements files
- matching bulletin image
- 4 page creative guide for worship planning
- matching web images for promotion
- 8.5×11 matching poster-sized print file for promotion
- 2×8 matching bookmark for promotion
There’s other creative connections around this approach to Christmas, as well. Consider a monologue from the perspective of the innkeeper. He could tell of his busy night and the couple he had to turn away. He might also tell of the mysterious, bright star that appeared.
Elements of a barn including straw, a manger, and some other gear for animals might decorate the stage and altar to remind the congregation of the surroundings of Jesus’ birth.
If you have video production capabilities, consider capturing an “On the street” video asking the question, “what does humble mean to you?” or “In light of the recession, how are you going to celebrate Christmas this year?”
In the sermon, some historical information regarding the financial difficulties Joseph and Mary faced might help the congregation connect to the situation in which Jesus was born.
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