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Christmas Day, our parishes will have an opportunity to “welcome home” many of our Catholic and non-Catholic family and friends.

Among the challenges of Christmas liturgies is the inevitable desire for seasonal Mass goers, many are at Mass for the first time in a long time, or for the first time at all. In most parishes it means the stress of additional liturgies and confession times, the need for extra priests, extraordinary ministers of Communion, lectors, musicians and cantors, greeters and ushers.

Despite these challenges, packed churches, even if only once a year, present an unparalleled opportunity for evangelization. In this sense, Christmas Mass (much like Easter, Palm Sunday, and Ash Wednesday) is a gateway moment when people come back to the Church seeking something only the Church can give.

Evangelizing parishes invite new people and make them feel like they belong.  For many in the millenial generation, “belonging leads to believing”.

Make this a coordinated effort within your parish and talk to parishioners about getting ready for Christmas. But remember, the most important “evangelizing” is that each of us first need to make room in our hearts to welcome our Lord.