The Quiet Christmas Revival

I wonder how the so-called Quiet Revival will affect Christmas attendances this year across the Western world? There are stats from the UK’s TEAR fund that illustrate a jump in desire attend, though let’s see how Christmas morning itself bears that out.

It seems incredible, even if off a smallish sample base of just over 2000, that 45 per cent of Brits intend to attend a Christmas service in 2025.  And the numbers appear to be driven by Gen Z – the very group over the past couple of years who are seeking something a little more transcendent and meaningful.

Now of course, Christmas can do transcendence like no other time of the year, indeed even for the pagan there is something “magical” about Christmas.

There is also something painful. Even this week I read of an acquaintance in Perth who has lost their son in a car accident, right on the verge of Christmas. This time of the year is now going to be blighted for ever for them. That’s the point at which we cry “Come Lord Jesus come!”

I would presume that Australian churches – and maybe especially in Sydney after the shocking events of the past fortnight – may find themselves with bigger crowds. Mind you, Sydney is a funny beast. There are two periods when you can guarantee that Sydney traffic will be light – 2am-4:30am every day, and the week before Christmas until around January 27th (the day after Australia Day).

If you are in ministry and if you are having a Christmas service then what should you focus on? Now I did say “if” because there was a short period there in the noughties when Christmas Day services were under a little bit of threat. But I think in these straitened times, with so much trauma and worry, the idea that we can sing “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight” is kinda comforting!

So what should you focus on? Here are a couple of things in no particular order (and not all things, so add to the list in the comments).

Clarity: Just make it clear what Christmas is about. Focus on Jesus, his significance for the hope of Israel (even if unrecognised), and how that nation’s hopes are the gateway to our hopes. God blessed Abraham’s descendants in order to be a blessing to the world. Focus on that.

Charity: There will, if the Quiet Revival stuff is actually happening, many coming to church who may not normally come. Remember that for that first time – or that occasional time – the medium IS the message!  It may be crammed and stuffy, or sparse and cold, but the primary takeaway will be “How was I treated?”  The message is important (see point 1), but the tone is going to be vital.

Theology: The songs we sing at Christmas are some of the most theologically astute songs that we have in our repertoire. At least they ought to be if we exclude the likes of Jingles Bells (Not saying don’t sing it for fun!). But ensure that what we sing and read and say has some theological conviction. Don’t offer moralism. Offer the gospel.

Brevity: There’s a point at which a Christmas Day service ceases to be a church occasion and starts to become a hostage situation. I have been to at least one service on Christmas Day at which the sermon was 45 minutes long. The sermon, not the service!  If you do that then you are the Christmas Grinch. You deserve the opprobrium coming your way.

Opportunity: Yes, it’s a busy time, but giving people even a small chance to respond, whether in silent meditation or an offer of a quick chat afterwards to a team member, is a great idea.  Don’t pounce!  Once again the increase in numbers may not translate to the following Sundays in January – in fact it won’t – but give people an opportunity to connect again if they wish to. Don’t overload them with the list of “next ten things”. In fact it might be great chance to highlight your next Alpha course, or whatever evangelistic program you have, by simply mentioning that it will be coming up in the next term. Oh, and QR code it.

Humility: Don’t try to impress with a dazzling show. Just slightly dial up – and more sharply focus – what you do week in week out at your church. The age of seeker sensitive “wow” factor is coming to an end (if it ever worked in the first place). Just be real, and deep, and gospel-focussed. Don’t be something that you are not and that you don’t have the person-power to replicate.

Nativity: It’s about Jesus!  He’s the point. Make sure that those turning up can go away knowing at least that Christmas is not all about family, not all about being kind to one another, but is about the coming of the King to give his life as a ransom for many. Keeping everything Jesus focussed will mean that at a time when the “noise” of the day can often cancel out the messaging, there will be at least one sticky Velcro thought for people to take away.  Let people know that Jesus is the friend of sinners, sufferers and saints alike.

Lots of other things of course. You can think of those yourselves. But in a year in which there are some green gospel shoots springing up across the West, this Christmas Day could be the start of a journey for someone who had no intention last Christmas of ever stepping foot inside a church.

May 2026 see the Quiet Revival ramp up a few decibels.

Merry Christmas.