TEMPLATES · CHRISTMAS EMAIL

Church Christmas email templates.

Four Christmas emails to copy, in the order you send them: the season schedule, the Christmas Eve invitation, the details a few days before, and the follow-up after. Fill in the brackets and send them from a person.

LATE NOVEMBER

The Christmas schedule

Send before the first Sunday of Advent. One email with every service and event of the season, so people can plan around it.

Subject Christmas at [Church name]: every service and event

Hi [First name],

Christmas is coming, and here is everything happening at [Church name] between now and then, in one place.

[Sunday, November 29 to Sunday, December 20]: our Advent series, [Waiting for the Light]. [Every Sunday at 9:00 and 11:00 AM.]
[Sunday, December 13, 5:00 PM]: [the kids’ Christmas program]. [Kids should arrive at 4:15 in their costumes.]
[Sunday, December 20, 6:00 PM]: [the Advent candlelight service, with carols and the lighting of the last Advent candle].
[Thursday, December 24]: Christmas Eve candlelight services at [4:00, 6:00, and 11:00 PM]. [Childcare for ages 0–4 at the 4:00 and 6:00.]
[Sunday, December 27]: [one service only, at 10:00 AM].

Each one is on our calendar: [Calendar link]

See you soon,
[Your name]

TWO WEEKS BEFORE

The Christmas Eve invitation

Most guests come because someone asked them. Give your people something easy to forward.

Subject Who are you bringing on Christmas Eve?

Hi [First name],

Christmas Eve is the night more people visit church than any other, and most of them come because a friend asked.

So here is our ask: invite one person. A neighbor, a coworker, a family member who has not been in a while. Forward them this email, or send them this link: [Christmas Eve page link].

Christmas Eve at [Church name]
[Thursday, December 24]
Candlelight services at [4:00, 6:00, and 11:00 PM]
[221 Armour Drive, Atlanta]

[Each service is about an hour, with carols, a short message, and candles at the end. Childcare for ages 0–4 at the 4:00 and 6:00.]

Merry Christmas,
[Your name]

TWO OR THREE DAYS BEFORE

The Christmas Eve details

Short, practical, and easy to read on a phone in a parking lot. Times, parking, kids, and when to arrive.

Subject Christmas Eve: times, parking, and what to know

Hi [First name],

We can’t wait to see you on Christmas Eve. A few things to know before you come:

Times: [4:00, 6:00, and 11:00 PM]. [The 4:00 and 6:00 fill up first, so the 11:00 has the most room.]
Arrive: [15 minutes early]. [Doors open 30 minutes before each service.]
Parking: [the north lot fills first. Overflow parking is at Morningside Elementary, with a shuttle every 5 minutes.]
Kids: [childcare for ages 0–4 at the 4:00 and 6:00. Check in at the welcome desk.]
Can’t make it: [the 6:00 service is streamed live at Livestream link].

Merry Christmas,
[Your name]

DECEMBER 26 TO 28

The follow-up after Christmas

Send to everyone who came, and especially to first-time guests. Say thank you, then give one easy next step in January.

Subject Thank you for being with us on Christmas Eve

Hi [First name],

Thank you for spending Christmas Eve with us. [More than 1,400 people came across the three services, and the room singing Silent Night by candlelight is something we will remember for a long time.]

If it was your first time at [Church name], we’re really glad you came. There’s no pressure, but if you’d like to come back, January is a good time to start:

[Sunday, January 3]: [a new series, Start Here, at 9:00 and 11:00 AM].
[Sunday, January 10, after the 11:00]: [Newcomers lunch. Meet the pastors, ask anything. RSVP: Link]

Just reply to this email if there is anything we can do for you.

Happy New Year,
[Your name]

Christmas, designed

Lead with the one service you most want people at, with a photo that says Christmas before anyone reads a word. In Butter, pick the event from Planning Center Calendar or Registrations and it drops into a section with the date, time, image, and button already filled in. An upcoming events list puts the rest of the season under it.

See all 37 sections or five full newsletter examples.

Grace Church

DEC20 SUNDAY · 6:00 PM Advent Candlelight Service Carols, Scripture, and the lighting of the last Advent candle. Bring the whole family. Plan your visit

Christmas at Grace NOV29Advent begins9:00 & 11:00 AM DEC13Kids’ Christmas program5:00 PM DEC24Christmas Eve4, 6 & 11 PM DEC27One service10:00 AM

Before you send

Lead with the times. Christmas Eve emails get read on a phone, often in a hurry. Put the day, the times, and the address before anything else.

Write for the guest. Whoever gets the email forwarded to them has never been inside your building. Say how long it lasts, what happens, and what to do with the kids.

Send it from a person. A pastor’s name in the From line, and a reply that reaches someone. Guests do reply, especially after Christmas.

Keep giving separate. A year-end giving email is worth sending, but on its own, not inside the invitation. Use the year-end giving template.

FAQs

If yours is not here, email us at support@butterhq.com.

When should a church send Christmas emails?

The season schedule in late November, before the first Sunday of Advent. The Christmas Eve invitation about two weeks before. The details two or three days before. The follow-up between December 26 and 28, while the night is still fresh.

What should a Christmas Eve email include?

The day, every service time, and the address, near the top. Then how long a service lasts, what happens, what is offered for kids, where to park, and a link to a page with the same details for anyone it gets forwarded to.

Should a church follow up with Christmas Eve guests?

Yes. A short thank-you a few days later, with one easy next step in January, such as a new series or a newcomers lunch. Many churches ask guests to fill in a connect card so they can be added to the list.

Can Butter pull Christmas services from Planning Center?

Yes. If your Christmas Eve services are in Planning Center Calendar or Registrations, pick the event in the Butter builder and the date, time, place, image, and sign-up link fill in for you.

More templates: giving emails, visitor welcome emails, announcement emails, event emails, sermon emails, and volunteer emails.