Boston ? To describe his feelings at the pulpit during a jam-packed Christmas worship service, the Rev. Paul McPheeters talks “Monday Night Football.”

The excitement of speaking in front of a big holiday crowd is like a player’s during the prime-time game, he says. So many worshippers attend only on the holidays, and every preacher wants the service to be memorable and moving.

The result, says McPheeters, of Forestdale Community Church, is that when he stands in the pulpit he’s just “a little more jacked up about it” than on a typical Sunday.

So are many of his colleagues. Around the country, ministers in churches big and small are preparing to welcome the annual rush of visitors who attend just on Christmas or Easter. These “Holiday Christians,” as some call them, come for many reasons — whether they’re dragged by family members or attracted to a hopeful message during what can be a time of loneliness.

High expectations

Pastors and priests say they strive to be friendly, inspirational and clear about the Christmas message of God coming to earth to redeem humanity.

But whether it’s music, drama or homilies, church leaders know that whatever they do must be done exceptionally well, said the Rev. Daniel Benedict, director of worship resources at The United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.

“Culturally, the expectations are extremely high for Christmas,” he said. “Worship services that don’t meet the high expectations are doomed to failure for everyone, but particularly for the guests that are there infrequently.”

Despite its commercialization, Christmas remains a time of personal and spiritual reflection, and that makes people open to the Christian message, said Gerald Mann of the Riverbend Church in Austin, Texas.

“This is the time of year to shine the light on all the dark places in your head,” Mann said. “I think it’s God’s declaration that no matter how secular society gets, you can’t kill God.”

Pastors say they don’t want holiday visitors to feel guilty because of their infrequent attendance or embarrassed because they’re unfamiliar with church rituals. Some churches don’t take offerings, so visitors won’t feel the church is just after their money. Others remove religious readings that visitors might be unfamiliar with, or make sure to explain them in church bulletins.

“We don’t want people singled out or feeling awkward,” said the Rev. Gordon Hugenberger, pastor the historic Park Street Church in Boston. “We’re thrilled they’re here.”

Various services

Churches offer a variety of ways to tell the Christmas story, from simple candlelight services to elaborate musical presentations. For instance, the “Christmas Bursts Into Beauty” presentation at Washington Cathedral in Redmond, Wash., features a live manger scene, soloists and harpists.

Involving children is a way to grab the attention of visiting parents and grandparents who come to watch them. It also emphasizes how God came to earth as a child, said the Rev. Erwin Lutzer of The Moody Church in Chicago. He gathers his congregation’s children around him to tell the Christmas story during his service.

And, yes, he and other pastors get nervous when they look out at the congregation.

“I think that there’s extra excitement at Christmas time. There’s a certain mood,” Lutzer said. “We all want to do well. We want to make Jesus look good, if I can put it that way.”

The Rev. Joseph Juknialis, associate pastor at St. Peter and Paul Parish in Milwaukee, said Christmas is one of those times “when you really wish you could preach well.”

“What happens is that’s usually when you’re least satisfied,” said Juknialis, also the director of The Preaching Institute at Saint Francis Seminary.

McPheeters said that, for the first five of his 20 years in ministry, his main thought before the Christmas service was “Lord, get me out of here.” But as years have passed, he’s learned to rely on God to work through him, he said. Benedict of the Methodist board said that kind of thinking can help.

“Perhaps that is what unbinds the tension in this,” he said.

Pastors interviewed said they don’t do much to follow up with Christmas visitors, apart from routine steps such as sending letters to those who sign a guest book. Tim White, of Washington Cathedral, said he relies on the Christmas story to draw people back.

“The Christmas message itself is inspiring to people who come from an unchurched background,” White said. “If it’s an inspiring experience for people … that takes down a lot of barriers.”