December without burnout

December in a small church looks something like this. The Christmas program. Food baskets. The cantata. The candlelight service. A fellowship dinner. Family in town, extra hospital visits, and someone who only calls the church once a year calling this week.

Every one of those things is good. Put them all in the same four weeks, and a lot of pastors and ministry leaders reach Christmas Eve running on fumes.

Martha had a December too

In Luke 10, Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary. Martha is busy getting everything ready. Mary sits at His feet and listens. When Martha complains, Jesus answers gently: "thou art careful and troubled about many things." Only one thing was needed, and Mary had chosen it.

Martha wasn't doing anything wrong. She was serving Jesus. But she was so busy serving Him that she missed being with Him. That's the danger of December in ministry. We can be so busy with Christmas that we miss Christ.

1. Pick fewer things, and do them well

Look at your December calendar and ask one question about each event: would anyone miss this if we didn't do it this year? Some things are the heart of your church's Christmas. Keep those. Others are there because "we've always done it." Those can rest for a year.

Three events done with joy will do more good than seven done in a rush.

2. Give each Sunday one sentence

Before December starts, write one sentence for each Sunday. For example:

• Week 1: God keeps His promises, even when the wait is long.
• Week 2: Mary said yes to God before she knew how it would work out.
• Week 3: The good news came to shepherds first.
• Week 4: Jesus is Immanuel, which in Hebrew is Immanu El (God with us).

Now your sermon, the children's lesson, the songs, and the bulletin can all point the same way. You won't be starting from a blank page on a Saturday night in the middle of the busiest month of the year.

3. Hand off one thing you usually do

Choose one task that always lands on you in December. Maybe it's decorating, the food basket list, or organizing the program rehearsals. Write it down on one page and give it to someone who's willing. You'll be surprised how many people want to help at Christmas if they're asked for something specific.

Make room for the Spirit to lead

In Luke 2, Simeon came "by the Spirit into the temple" on the very day Mary and Joseph brought Jesus there. He wasn't rushing around. He was waiting, listening, and ready to move when the Holy Spirit said go.

That's what a simpler December gives you. Room to listen. When your calendar has margin, you can respond when the Spirit prompts you to visit the widow down the road or to change your sermon on Saturday because of something He showed you. A packed calendar leaves no room for that kind of leading.

And plan January now

One more gift to yourself: plan your Winter quarter before Christmas. Take one afternoon in late November or early December, pick your Sundays, choose a passage and a sentence for each, and ask your volunteers now. Then January won't catch you exhausted with nothing ready.

Christmas is about a Savior who came to us. It was never meant to be about a pastor who ran out of gas getting there.