In Sermon Illustrations: "Christmas Prayer"

A Christmas Story: Filling The Hole

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 30, 2009

A CHRISTMAS STORY: FILLING THE HOLE One of the most popular films [of this season] is a little vignette set in the 50s called A Christmas Story. In the plot, young Ralphie sets his heart on an air rifle for Christmas, enduring ridicule and scorn in his quest for this gift he believes will make him ...read more

Tags: Desire

Denomination: Catholic

A Christmas Story: Tongue In Trouble

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Nov 22, 2010

A CHRISTMAS STORY: TONGUE IN TROUBLE The classic movie, A Christmas Story, is a nostalgic look at growing up in Gary, Indiana, through the eyes of a boy named Ralphie. One scene depicts playtime in the middle of winter. Two boys surrounded by their classmates are arguing whether a person's tongue ...read more

Tags: Tongue

Denomination: Brethren

Peale: A Simple Christmas In Africa

Contributed by Tim Smith on Mar 17, 2011

PEALE: A SIMPLE CHRISTMAS IN AFRICA Norman Vincent Peale writes of spending Christmas in Africa with his wife, children and grandchildren. He was hesitant but his wife told him he would love every minute of it. And yet, as Christmas day approached he was troubled because everything Christmas was ...read more

Tags: Christmas Eve

Denomination: Methodist

Charles Dickens And Reviving Christmas  PRO

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Dec 24, 2012

Two hundred years ago, in the early 19th Century, as astonishing as it may seem, Christmas in Great Britain had become almost extinct. The Times newspaper did not mention Christmas once between 1790 and 1835. Not once! However, Charles Dickens was instrumental in reviving Christmas during the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Tags: Christmas, Losing Christmas

Denomination: Anglican

Best Christmas Illustration Ever!  PRO

Contributed by Tim Smith on Aug 13, 2017

The brand new pastor and his wife were assigned to their first church in Brooklyn and were to reopen it. They arrived in early October excited about their opportunities. When they saw the church, it was run down and needed a lot of work. They set a goal to have everything done in time to have their ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:1

Tags: Christmas Reunion, Christmas, Advent

Denomination: Methodist

Christmas Eve Communion Confession

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Nov 23, 2019

Confession O Lord, we remember you, O Lamb of God Born this day to take away the sin of the world; O Word become flesh, Who came down to share our humanity; You alone are worthy. Help us remember You not only with our lips, But with our hearts as well; Help our lives proclaim Your truth. As we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Christmas, Communion, Christmas Eve, Confession

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Sunday School Was Putting On A Christmas ...  PRO

Contributed by Brian Harvison on May 29, 2008

A Sunday school was putting on a Christmas pageant which included the story of Mary and Joseph coming to the inn. One boy wanted very much to be Joseph. But when the parts were handed out, a boy he didn’t like was given the part, and he was assigned to be the inn-keeper instead. He was pretty upset ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Second Coming

Denomination: Baptist

Have You Discovered Christmas?  PRO

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008

Have You Discovered Christmas? "But the angel said unto them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.'" (Luke 2: 10 -11) One of the most beloved ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11, Luke 2:1-15

Tags: Christmas, Creation, New, Visionary

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas Is Not About Presents But His ...

Contributed by Daniel Haas on Dec 6, 2008

Christmas is not about presents but His ...read more

Tags: Christmas

Denomination: Congregational

Lighting Candles On Christmas Eve

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Dec 24, 2008

LIGHTING CANDLES ON CHRISTMAS EVE Every time on Christmas Eve that I light my candle, I catch myself staring into the flame – I can’t seem to help it. There, I hold one small ordinary candle with a small flickering light. In of itself, my little flame doesn’t cast much light, but I don’t know, ...read more

Tags: Christmas Eve

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas Cards Can Be Funny!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 21, 2020

Our culture really gets into Christmas cards. It’s reported that Americans send 2.1 billion of them each year. Hallmark alone has more than 2,700 Christmas card designs. I don’t always read the cards but do like to catch up on those famous “Our-family-is-perfect Christmas letters” often found ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-12

Tags: Christmas, Christ, Holidays, Laughter, Christmas Humor  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Another Christmas Tree In The Bag

Contributed by James Snyder on Dec 26, 2020

It's hard to believe, but another Christmas has come and gone. It comes so slow but leaves so fast. I guess I'll never understand that. This Christmas was probably the most unusual that I have ever experienced. When I was young, I remember those first Christmases; they were so slow in ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:35

Tags: Christmas, Humore

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Christmas Scale - Joy To The World

Contributed by William Akehurst on Dec 10, 2022

The Christmas Scale is a message to the song, Joy to the World, and our need to take pause during the Christmas season to understand the Greatest Gift to the World. THE CHRISTMAS SCALE can be found on youtube by searching the name, or using ...read more

Tags: Christmas, Christmas Scale

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christmas Traditions Around The World

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 19, 2022

As Americans, we pride ourselves in "doing Christmas up big." Tons of gifts, big holiday feasts, huge trees, Lights on the houses. Here are some of the other ways people prepare for the celebration of Christmas: * In Italy they have no Christmas trees, instead they decorate small ...read more

Tags: Traditions, Birth Of Christ, Christmas, Customs

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Great Christmas Story To Use!

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Nov 28, 2023

Pastor Clifford S. Stewart of Louisville, Kentucky, sent his parents a microwave oven one Christmas when microwaves were a new thing for many Americans. Here's how he recalls the interesting experience: "They were excited that now they, too, could be a part of the instant generation. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-12, John 1:1-12

Tags: Witnessing, Missions, Son Of God, Salvation, Evangelism, Gospel, Jesus, Birth Of Christ, Christmas  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Most Important Part Of Christmas

Contributed by Loyd C. Taylor on Dec 8, 2023

What is the most important part of Christmas? What do we celebrate each year? Is it the change of heart we notice in people? Is it the spreading of Christmas cheer? Is it wishing for falling snow flakes? Is it picking out a Christmas tree? Is it the laughter of little children? Is it people singing ...read more

Tags: Poetry About Christ's Birth, Poems, Reason For The Season, Birth Of Christ, Christmas, Christmas Poems  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Two Days After Christmas

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Dec 19, 2024

It’s two days after Christmas. The celebrations are over. The presents have been put up. Another Christmas in the books. Christmas 2024 will now take its place among all the Christmases passed. I wonder what Mary was thinking two days after the first Christmas. It’s been quite a ride. How could she ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20, Matthew 1:18-24, Hebrews 4:14-16, Philippians 2:1-16

Tags: Mary, Christmas, Bethlehem, Manger, Birth, Joseph, Census, Catteau  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

There Is A Rather Poignant Christmas Story About ...  PRO

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Nov 6, 2001

There is a rather poignant Christmas story about a little girl who watched her mother & dad getting ready for Christmas. To her, it seemed that dad was preoccupied with burdens & bundles, & mom was concerned about parties & presents, & they just had no time for her. She felt that she was being ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Tags: Christmas, Gift

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Failure To Think Of Prayer As A ...  PRO

Contributed by David Dewitt on Jan 8, 2001

“Our failure to think of prayer as a privilege may be partly due to the fact that we can pray any time. The door to prayer is open so continuously that we fail to avail ourselves of ...read more

Tags: Prayer General, Prayer Persistence

Denomination: Church Of God

The Definition Of Prayer Found In The Devils ...  PRO

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 31, 2000

The definition of prayer found in the Devils Dictionary, written by Ambrose Bierce around the turn of the century-- "To ask the laws of the universe to be annulled ...read more

Tags: Prayer General, Prayer Supplication

Denomination: Wesleyan