Episode 005: Preaching Through The Holidays
EP 005 – Surviving Christmas Without Burning Out
Christmas comes every year on the same date—but as pastors, it can feel like we’re expected to reinvent it every time. In this episode of They Call Me Pastor, Kyle and Don talk honestly about preaching Advent, planning Christmas, and protecting your soul in the busiest season of the year.
They unpack how to keep the Christmas story fresh without chasing “new revelation,” how to use Advent themes (hope, peace, joy, love) in a Pentecostal context, and how to set healthy boundaries so you don’t end December jaded, exhausted, and ready to quit.
Episode Snapshot
Why you don’t need to “save Christmas”—Jesus already did
Using Advent (hope, peace, joy, love) as a rich, biblical preaching framework
How to keep your messages fresh without adding to Scripture
Planning early so December doesn’t crush your body, mind, or family
Delegation, church calendars, and giving your team (and yourself) margin
Topics We Cover
Freshness without novelty
Preaching familiar texts (Luke 2, Isaiah 7 & 9, etc.) with faithfulness instead of pressure
The difference between fresh to you and “new revelation”
Advent for Pentecostals
Using the Advent themes to point to both the first coming and the second Advent—our blessed hope
Avoiding dead ritual while embracing sacred rhythms and the church calendar
Planning & Programming
When Kyle and Don start thinking about Christmas (September/November)
Why fewer, well-done Christmas events can be healthier than a packed December calendar
Letting your team own décor, parties, and details so you can focus on shepherding
Health, Family & Boundaries
Saying no without guilt
Protecting your physical, spiritual, and emotional health in the holiday rush
Inviting your kids into the life of the church so they learn to love the Bride, not resent her
Memorable Quotes
“As pastors, we don’t have to save Christmas. Jesus already did that.”
“It’s not just hope and peace for the birth of Christ—we’re looking toward the second Advent, our blessed hope.”
“We’re not activities coordinators. We’re shepherds. Our job is to lead people nearer to Christ.”
“Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is go take a nap.”
Timestamps
00:37 – Why Christmas preaching can feel like pressure
01:21 – Keeping a 2,000-year-old story “fresh” without chasing novelty
02:36 – Advent: hope, peace, joy, love in a Pentecostal context
05:27 – Prophecy, Isaiah, and the “blessed hope” of the second Advent
08:00 – When Kyle & Don start planning Christmas, themes, and series
10:38 – Avoiding burnout: fewer events, more consistency
12:40 – Boundaries, naps, and not being an “activities coordinator”
18:23 – Making Christmas meaningful for your family, not just your church
22:30 – Delegation, team buy-in, and using people’s gifts
23:45 – Final encouragement: preach Christ clearly, rest deeply, and remember hope, peace, joy, and love
Stay Connected
Have a topic you’d like Kyle and Don to tackle?
Drop a comment on YouTube or reach out via email/Instagram (links in the description).
Kyle@legacychurch.online
Don@vistafirst.org
Merry Christmas, Pastor. Preach Jesus—and don’t forget to breathe.