📖 Reading: Video Transcript: Why Christmas or Holidays Need Chaplains

🎄 Why Christmas Needs a Chaplain

Abby:
Well, hello, it's Abby Dominiak and Henry Reyenga, father and daughter professors at Christian Leaders Institute and with the Alliance.

And we are excited to dig into a topic that's really important. Chaplaincy has really been on our heart. We see so many called to chaplaincy, and we want to talk about why Christmas, or any holiday, needs a chaplain.

Throughout this course, we're going to use Christmas as an example—one of the biggest holidays of the year for most people. But Easter, Thanksgiving, and so many other holidays also need chaplains. So, as we go through this course, we definitely see holidays as a whole needing chaplains.

Henry:
You know, in some ways, it's kind of an interesting thing to think about—chaplains for seasons. But let’s focus on Christmas.

Why is this such a good example?
At Christmas, the world slows down. There's a stirring of the soul.

And behind all that celebration, there can be a lot of hearts that are really heavy and carrying weight.

This is a season where people’s pain becomes more apparent—especially if they have family pain, or they’ve experienced loss, or something is weighing them down.

From a ministry sciences perspective, these sacred moments open hearts to deeper ministry.

Abby:
Yeah, spiritual attentiveness increases, and that care is so much more needed during this time. It really opens people's hearts.

Think about Christmas: people are gathering, being with family. Many are off work, kids are out of school. There's that slow-down and quiet, but it can also reveal needs in people’s lives.

🎁 Christmas Chaplains: A Ministry of Presence

Henry:
So at Christian Leaders Institute, we see chaplains functioning in two ways:

• To specific groups

• Around clusters of topics

People who love Christmas may naturally be called to serve as seasonal chaplains, ministering to those in community celebrations during this busy season.

Another wonderful thing about Christmas is that the topic is Jesus' birth. It becomes a rich opportunity for evangelism.

Abby:
The role of the Christmas chaplain is not to be a performer or preacher, but a minister of presence, a bearer of light, a reminder that Christ still comes.

And I love that because the whole role of a chaplain is presence.
Here at CLI, we say it again and again: ministry of presence.

And what’s Christmas all about?
Emmanuel. God with us.
People need chaplains to be present with them.

Henry:
Yes. A chaplain is called to enter human sorrow with compassion.

From a ministry sciences perspective, present-based ministry fosters relational discipleship.

Christmas is all about the incarnation, and so incarnational leadership mirrors Christ's own approach.

Christ dwells with us.
And in some ways, the capital-C Christ is the Chaplain.
If you invite Christ into your life, it changes.
If you invite a chaplain to speak into your life, your holiday season can change.

💔 When Holidays Hurt

Abby:
December can intensify grief, loneliness, financial strain.

Families may be struggling under the pressure—parents trying to make it special for their kids while grieving a loss.

Chaplains bring that holy presence.
Not as a quick fix, but through continual presence—just showing up when people need it.

Henry:
And think about it—emotional intelligence is essential for timely ministry, especially at Christmas.

One person might be offended by "Merry Christmas" due to a recent loss.
Another might reject it for theological reasons.

So this is why the Christmas chaplain must be emotionally intelligent.
Christmas becomes a lightning rod for ministry, and this class will talk about that.

📺 Culture, Ministry & Hallmark

Abby:
We’re talking about holistic care—integrating spiritual, emotional, and relational needs.
And culturally, look at the Hallmark Channel.

Henry:
Yes! Hallmark, Great American Movie Channel—these stations paint a picture of the “perfect Christmas” season.

They even did studies on how much income increases during Christmas.
They have Christmas in July because the season is so powerful—family, renewal, forgiveness.

In this class, we’ll talk about 50 ways a Christmas Chaplain can minister—check the description.

Abby:
What does Christmas mean to me?
It’s always been special—celebrating Jesus' birth, church services, songs, nativity plays.

And I love the giving and receiving of gifts. It’s exciting, cozy, warm, and delicious.

But not everyone feels that way. For many, it’s a time of hurt.

✨ The Reason for the Season

Henry:
That’s why I especially love the idea of Christmas chaplains.

There’s still openness to God at Christmas.
And chaplains have an opportunity to promote the incarnational brand of Christmas that is getting lost in the rise of Santa, shopping, and “Happy Holidays.”

We need an army of chaplains calling communities back to the true reason for the season.

Jesus came to this earth—connecting the divine with the human—so that the human (us) might find the Divine.

Abby:
Biblically, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."

Christmas is about God entering our fragility and moving into our neighborhood.

The Christmas Chaplain follows Christ’s model of nearness.

❤️ The Call to Presence

Henry:
The theology of presence affirms God's proximity to suffering.

Our ministry mirrors divine compassion when we enter into real-life contexts.

Abby:
And though it’s often a volunteer role, it is spiritually vital.
Churches should be raising up leaders to identify who needs a chaplain this season.

This is spiritual frontline work.
It requires intentionality, training, and most of all, a compassionate heart.

Every visit, prayer, or listening ear matters.

🎓 Training Matters: Volunteer Doesn’t Mean Unprepared

Henry:
Sustainable ministry is built on clear calling and preparation.
The spiritual formation of the chaplain enhances their impact.

Even though this is such a volunteer-oriented role, that doesn't mean training isn’t needed. Just because it’s unpaid doesn’t mean it’s a “small thing.” This is crucial work.

Abby:
You also shared with me that you felt like your parents were kind of Christmas chaplains themselves—especially in how they acted in nursing homes.

Henry:
Yes, my father would take out the accordion and go to nursing homes during Christmas—just bringing cheer. I saw the blessing in their eyes. My mom would donate so much time ministering to shut-ins.

In some ways, that inspired this whole idea. You saw that growing up, even before they passed away.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if an army of Christmas seasonal chaplains came out of Christian Leaders Institute?
And maybe, for many, this becomes their first ordained step.
A few months of volunteer chaplaincy at Christmas could open doors to much more ministry.

✝️ What Christmas Chaplaincy Might Look Like

Abby:
So, what might it look like?

• Visiting grieving families or isolated individuals

• Praying with frontline workers who are still working through the holiday

• Sharing Scripture in shelters, detention centers, jails, or nursing homes

This is such a hard season for so many.
And from a ministry sciences standpoint:
👉 Ministry contexts vary, but presence remains the core method.

Ask yourself:
What gaps do you see in your community?

Like the church you attend—it has a ministry for families with disabilities.
What about Christmas season gaps like that, that a chaplain could fill?

👕 Presence in Public: A Shirt, A Spark

Henry:
I loved how our lead chaplain, Reverend Tom Walcott, talked about things like wearing a uniform.

Why is it important to wear one of our red or green Chaplain shirts?
Because when you're walking around and someone asks, "Who are you?"
You can say:

“I'm a Christmas chaplain. I'm with Christian Leaders Institute and the Christian Leaders Alliance. We have a seasonal chaplaincy program this time of year.”

And I believe—with all my heart—you will meet people who will open up.
They were waiting for someone like you to show up.

It’s like that story at Christian Leaders Church:
Someone prayed, “God, if you love me, send me a sign.”
And someone came up to them and said, “God loves you.”

Having that chaplain shirt could spark that same kind of moment.
People need that conversation.

🙌 What You Don’t Need to Be a Christmas Chaplain

Abby:
You don’t need a pulpit or a seminary degree.

Henry:
Right. You won’t have all the answers—and you don’t need them.
The most important thing?
👉 Be Spirit-led, be compassionate, and show up faithfully.

Abby:
Yes—humility, empathy, and spiritual reliance are critical.
Relational ministry like this requires authenticity.

And as we often say at the Christian Leaders Alliance, the word parish means sojourner.

The Catholic Church made parishes into buildings, but originally, it meant someone on a journey forming relationships.

So, chaplaincy is a sojourn—a journey.
And seasonal chaplaincy is bringing the message of Christ to others during a sacred time.
It is an incarnational ministry.

🕊️ Following Biblical Examples

Abby:
Like Mary, willing to carry Christ into the world.
Like the shepherds, sharing good news.
Like Simeon, a witness of peace.

Henry:
Yes. These symbolic roles in Scripture provide a model.
They reflect this ministry’s identity: presence, proclamation, and peace.

🧭 Final Encouragement

Abby:
As you take this first presentation, you might be wondering:
"Am I really going to do this?"

We encourage you—check it out and get the training.

You may not carry the title “Christmas Chaplain” all year, but this course will equip you to serve during the holidays.

Henry:
Exactly. Maybe you’re a general chaplain at your church…
But when December comes?

Abby:
Now you’re a Christmas chaplain.

Henry:
And then on January 1, you're back to your regular chaplain role. But you were present during the most emotional season of the year.

So—welcome to the Christmas Chaplain class.