How can you make your church open to ALL this Christmas? 

Rani Joshi shares  five thoughtful ways you can make South Asians – and others from diverse cultural backgrounds – feel welcome this December

Growing up in a Hindu family, we never went to church. But we were culturally engaged with Christmas. We had a Christmas tree, enjoyed delicious food, exchanged presents and spent time with family and friends. I even participated in school nativity plays! But not once did a local church reach out to us to connect these cultural Christian practices with the faith behind them.

So now, as an adult convert from a different faith background, and as someone from an ethnic minority, this raises an important question for me: How can we make our churches open to all this Christmas? Here are five thoughtful ways you can make South Asians – and others from diverse cultural backgrounds – feel welcome this December.


Share cultural stories and testimonies

One of the most impactful ways is by sharing diverse cultural perspectives within your church community.

If your church is multicultural, or multiethnic, invite members from different backgrounds to share their testimonies and also stories about how they celebrate Christmas.

Sharing these experiences can help others understand the various ways people celebrate Christmas and provide insight into the rich cultural diversity inside and outside the church, signalling that they are also are welcome.


Embrace diverse foods and traditions

Food is a fundamental part of celebrating Christmas! However, roast turkey or ham may not resonate with everyone –  especially those from Hindu, Muslim, or vegetarian backgrounds. For example, many Gujarati Hindus, like I was growing up, do not eat meat and often have vegetarian curries, chapattis, rice, and lentil soups like ‘dar’ (split pigeon pea soup).

For a Muslim guest, serving pigs in blankets (which contain pork) would not be appropriate, as they only eat halal meat and to consume pork is against their religion.

When hosting a Christmas meal, consider the dietary restrictions and preferences of your guests. I’ve found that, as a family, we often blend cultures – we might have a traditional roast, but we also enjoy making samosas, cassava fries, and ‘khichi’ (a type of spicy rice flour donut) to honour our Indian roots. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to celebrate different cultures.

Providing a range of food options can help guests from diverse backgrounds feel welcomed.


Provide multilingual invitations and communication

When inviting people to your Christmas services or events, be sure to offer communication in multiple languages, especially if your church is located in a culturally diverse area. For example, if you have a congregation with a significant number of a particular culture, consider providing invitations and service details in their native languages.

A thoughtful gesture, such as including the Lord’s Prayer in multiple languages – Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Urdu, Tamil, etc. – can make people feel valued and included in a way that transcends mere translation.

And if you’re inviting people from other faiths or backgrounds, using hand-delivered invitations may feel more personal and respectful than simply posting an event on social media or sending a flyer through the door.

I often imagine the image of Christ knocking on the door as a way of extending a personal invitation.


Extend invitations to those who might be alone

For many people, Christmas is a time to gather with family, but not everyone has that privilege. Many people, particularly those who are single, elderly, widowed, homeless or new to the area, through work or migration, may not have family to celebrate with. Your church can be a lifeline by extending invitations to those who might otherwise spend Christmas alone. Host a Christmas Day lunch at the church or encourage members to invite people to share a meal with their families.

If doing something in the church building, create a festive, welcoming space. Set up games, movies, or a cozy spot to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

This will go a long way in making people feel that they belong and that they are part of a community that cares.

Christmas is about the birth of Christ, who came to bring peace, love, and joy to the world – and what better way to reflect that than by offering hospitality to those who need it most? We don’t need to be nervous about sharing the Christmas story – we just need to be courageous in living it out.


Set up a prayer box or offering for those in need

Set up a prayer box outside your church, where people can anonymously submit prayer requests, is a small but meaningful way to offer support. If your church has the capacity, consider going the extra step and offering to knock on doors in your community to see how you can pray for or assist people in need.

For those who may be grieving or going through a difficult time, Christmas can be a reminder of loss. Offering a prayer for them, whether through the box or personally, shows that your church cares and is there to support people through every season of life.

 

As we prepare for Christmas this year, let us reflect on how we can truly make this time welcoming for all. It’s not just about decorating the church or hosting a yearly service; it’s about ensuring that everyone feels seen, heard, and included, and pointed to who Jesus is.

By embracing cultural diversity, opening our hearts and doors to those who may be alone, and communicating in ways that acknowledge different backgrounds, we can make Christmas a time of revealing who Jesus truly is – a servant-hearted King and Lord who came for us all.

This Christmas let’s not just celebrate the birth of Christ in our own way; let’s share His love by making room for everyone at the table, regardless of their background. 


Image | Ben White | Unsplash
 

Rani Joshi works with Evangelical Alliance as the South Asian Forum coordinator. As the first female to lead the network since it was established, she sees this as a wonderful opportunity to bring a different perspective.

The forum seeks to create resources, facilitating a space to share, equip and encourage the Church and wider Christian world about South Asian culture – the challenges, the beauty of it and how we can share Jesus with all.

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