Jason Hatley here, Pastor of Worship Arts at The Journey Church, with a quick (but very important) question for you . . .

How’s your Christmas season going?

No . . . I’m not talking about services or Christmas planning. I’m talking about you. How is YOUR Christmas season going?

For all of us in ministry Christmas can be a huge season of opportunity as God works through our churches to change lives in our communities. But don’t forget that God wants to work in your life this Christmas, too.

I shared an Oswald Chambers quote with my coaching network recently that has really been challenging me personally.

He wrote . . .

“Many today are spending and being spent in their work for Jesus Christ but they do not walk with him.”

I think the truth of that quote rings especially true this time of year. So let me ask you . . . what are you doing to experience Christ this Christmas?

Here are a couple quick ideas (things that I’m personally doing this year) that will hopefully be starting point for you . . .

#1 – Christmas Quiet Time - Each December I freshen up my personal Bible study and prayer with a Christmas focused quiet time. This is something I’ve done for years now, and thanks to online sites like www.YouVersion.com Christmas Bible studies are easier than ever to find. This year I’ve been doing a devotional on the Christmas story and how it interacts with my favorite Christmas carols as part of my quiet time. Not only am I studying the Christmas story, but I’m also getting new perspective on many of the songs that we are incorporating into our worship service.

#2 – Involve your family and friends - One of the best ways to experience Christmas personally this year is alongside your family and friends. At the Hatley house, my wife and I have been playing with our kids and their nativity set, allowing our 5-year old Abigail to tell the Christmas story as we play.

My wife has also created an advent calendar for our family (have I mentioned how awesome my wife is) and each day the kids get to uncover that day’s surprise. Some are fun family things like go to a Christmas pageant, and some are as simple as pieces of candy with special Christmas messages on them (guess which one is my favorite – ha!). Either way, experiencing Christmas with family and friends helps make the holidays more personal.

#3 – Pray for your unchurched friends - Want to take your Christmas experience to the next level this year? Pray for and invite your unchurched friends and neighbors to church this season. Christmas is a time when those around us are spiritually open and seeking to experience God. Pray for them and look for opportunities to share the true hope of Christmas with them. It may well be a Christmas that they (and you) never forget!

So this Christmas, while I know we’re all busy with the important work of ministry, don’t forget the personal experience of knowing and loving the baby in the manger that would become our Messiah on the cross, and our risen Lord on the third day!

Merry Christmas!

PS – Have you heard about my NEW Worship Leader Tele-coaching Network? The Super Early Bird deadline is coming up quick (December 31st).

Right now you can receive the Super Early Bird rate and additional bonus resources ($772.00 value) that you receive when you’re accepted.  Go to www.worshipleaderinsights.com/coaching to learn more and apply today!