Simon Cox Blog: Here's What Happens When Christmas Falls on a Sunday

Tuesday, 13 December 2016

Here's What Happens When Christmas Falls on a Sunday

Just 1 in 10 congregations will cancel worship on the big day.

Nearly 9 out of 10 Protestant senior pastors say their churches plan to hold services on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, as both fall on a Sunday, according to a recent survey from Nashville-based LifeWay Research.

More than 7 in 10 Protestant senior pastors say their churches plan to hold Christmas Eve services. And more than a few will be open on New Year’s Eve.

“Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year especially at churches, with many churches having extra Christmas Eve services and special programs,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research. “If Christmas falls on Monday through Saturday, churches might be closed on December 25—but almost never on a Sunday.”

The Christmas season has become a major outreach focus for many churches, with more than half of Americans saying they visit church for Christmas. Many of those who don’t go usually to church are open to an invitation during the holidays, according to previous LifeWay Research studies.

At some influential megachurches, thousands of visitors will flock to special Christmas events. In the past, that’s led some to cancel worship when Christmas falls on a Sunday.

Editor’s note: Chicago-area megachurch Willow Creek Community Church adjusts its Christmastime services each year depending on community and church schedules, and only one of eight locations will meet on Christmas Day. “We have nine services leading up to Christmas, and will also hold a service on Christmas Day at 10 a.m.,” executive pastor Heather Larson told CT. “The last time that Christmas Day fell on a Sunday, senior pastor Bill Hybels and his family led a wonderful service. This year, on December ...