Christmas is the one Sunday when people who never go to church suddenly decide, “You know what? Let’s try church.” For most of them it’s been years — maybe decades. They’re nervous. They’re curious. They’re hoping for something real. And we get one shot to show them Jesus is still worth it.

Here’s the truth: Christmas visitors aren’t looking for a perfect performance. They’re looking to feel seen, safe, and sincerely welcomed.

So here’s a battle-tested playbook that works whether you have 50 people or 5,000.

1. Start in the Parking Lot

• Put your friendliest people in neon vests 30 minutes early. Smiles > traffic cones.
• Reserve the closest 20 spots for first-time guests (big signs that say “Welcome! These spots are for YOU”).
• If it’s cold or raining, have golf umbrellas ready at the curb.

2. Make the Front Door Impossible to Miss

• One entrance only on Christmas Eve/Day. Every other door locked or clearly marked “Not today — head to the banners!”
• Giant banners, balloons, or a lit-up “Start Here” sign with smiling humans waving like they just won the lottery.

3. Treat Every Stranger Like Honoured Family

• Greeters: two jobs and only two jobs → huge smile + “So glad you’re here!”
• Give every adult a real candy cane and every kid a small age-appropriate gift as they walk in (colouring book, glow stick, hot-chocolate packet). Zero strings. Just love.

4. Remove Every Dumb Barrier

• Big, obvious signs: “Restrooms →”, “Kids Check-In →”, “Coffee is Free →”
• Print a one-page bulletin that literally says on the front: “You do NOT have to stand, sing, give money, or pray out loud. Just come sit with us.”
• If you pass an offering plate/bucket, have greeters say out loud, “This is for our regular attenders — guests, please just pass it along.”

5. Help Parents Feel Like Heroes

• Safe, clean, staffed kids areas with simple check-in (name + phone number is enough).
• Text parents a photo of their kid having fun halfway through the service. (Game-changer.)

6. Preach for the Outsider

• Assume half the room has never opened a Bible. Explain terms (“incarnation,” “grace,” “sin”) in plain English.
• Tell one clear story of how Jesus has wrecked your life in the best way.
• End with a 60-second invitation: “If you want to begin a relationship with Jesus today, just text the word BEGIN to the number on the screen. We’ll help you take the next step — zero pressure.”

7. Make the Exit as Warm as the Entrance

• Pastor or staff at the door personally thanking people for coming.
• Hand every family a small loaf of fresh bread or a $5 Tim Hortons card with a note: “Thanks for celebrating Christmas with us. Come back any Sunday — coffee’s on us.”

8. Follow Up Like You Mean It (But Not Like a Stalker)

• Monday morning: personal text from a real human (not an automated system). “Hey [Name], this is Sarah from [Church]. Just wanted to say thanks for coming yesterday and wish you a Merry Christmas!”
• Wednesday: handwritten card in the mail if they left an address.
• Next Sunday: invite them to a low-pressure “Coffee with the Pastor” event in January.

Do these eight things and something beautiful happens: Christmas visitors stop being numbers on an attendance sheet and start becoming brothers and sisters who stick around in March when the lights are gone and the crowds are smaller.

Because people don’t remember how perfect your music was. They remember how loved they felt when they walked through your doors looking for hope on Christmas morning.

Let’s make this the year they find it.

Merry Christmas — and happy welcoming.