In Sermon Illustrations: "Luke 2:15-16"

In 1864, One Of America’s Great Poets, ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Haines on Dec 8, 2000

In 1864, one of America’s great poets, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, wrote the poem which became the well-known carol, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. When I first heard this song, I wondered, “Why does he suddenly shift from joy at hearing the Christmas bells into such deep despair?” It starts ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20, Habakkuk 1:2

Tags: Peace, Love Of Christ, Christmas

Denomination: Wesleyan

A Little Girl Was Pushing The Limits Of Her ...  PRO

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Dec 21, 2000

A little girl was pushing the limits of her mother’s very last nerve. Mom was nearing the end of a hectic season of cooking, cleaning, shopping, wrapping and church stuff. She was also nearing the breaking point with her little pre-schooler. Finally the little girl was bathed and ready for bed. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:14, Luke 2:12-15

Tags: Peace, Christian Disciplines, Christmas Advent, Tabernacle

Denomination: United Methodist

Praise Him In My Heart  PRO

Contributed by David Dewitt on Dec 4, 2001

PRAISE HIM IN MY HEART Praise God for Christmas. Praise Him for the incarnation, for the word made flesh. I will not sing of shepherds watching flocks on frosty nights, or angel choristers. I will not sing of a stable bare in Bethlehem, or lowing oxen, wise men trailing star with gold, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Tags: Christmas Advent, Christmas, Birth Of Jesus, Farewell, Graduation, Goodbye, Transition  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

Max Lucado In His Book, The Applause Of Heaven, ...  PRO

Contributed by John Kah on Dec 6, 2001

Max Lucado in his book, The Applause of Heaven, puts it like this: "A small cathedral outside Bethlehem marks the supposed birthplace of Jesus. Behind a high altar in the church is a cave, a little cavern lit by sliver lamps. You can enter the main edifice and admire the ancient church. You can ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Christmas, Birth Of Jesus

Denomination: Lutheran

Some Years Ago At A Drawing-Room Function, One Of ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 24, 2002

Some years ago at a drawing-room function, one of England’s leading actors was asked to recite for the pleasure of his fellow guests. He consented and asked if there was anything special that his audience would like to hear. After a moment’s pause, an old clergyman present said: "Could you, sir, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1, John 10:27-30, Luke 2:8-20, Psalm 23:1-6

Tags: Shepherd

In A Survey, Nearly A Third Of Those Questioned ...  PRO

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jul 16, 2002

In a survey, nearly a third of those questioned stated that, of all the persons mentioned in the Christmas story, they identified the most with the shepherds. They were your average, ordinary, everyday ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Tags: Christmas, Birth Of Jesus

Denomination: Congregational

Questions For Mary  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 30, 2004

QUESTIONS FOR MARY Max Lucado has twenty-five questions that he wants to ask Mary the mother of Jesus, here are a few of my favorites. What was it like watching him pray? When he saw a rainbow, did he ever mention a flood? Did you ever feel awkward teaching him how he created the world? ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Divinity Of Christ, Annunciation, Mary Jesus Mother, Mary, People In The Gospel  (view more)  (view less)

The First One

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 30, 2004

THE FIRST ONE “Mary was the first person in the world to carry the Gospel.” SOURCE: Rodney Buchanan in ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: People In The Gospel, Mary Jesus Mother

It's Hard Being...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 30, 2004

IT’S HARD BEING... Pastor Ben Patterson, tells the following story: My 5-year-old niece, Olivia, and her best friend, Claire, were participating in a nativity play at school. Claire was playing Mary, and Olivia was an angel. Before the show, a young boy was going around the dressing room ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Mary Jesus Mother, People In The Gospel, Humanity Of Christ

Do You Believe?  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 30, 2004

DO YOU BELIEVE? Americans are three times as likely to believe in the Virgin Birth of Jesus (83 percent) as in evolution (28 percent) Not only do 91 percent of [American] Christians say they believe in the Virgin Birth, but so do an astonishing 47 percent of U.S. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:2-20

Tags: Humanity Of Christ, People In The Gospel, Mary Jesus Mother

Love Is The Key. Joy Is Love Singing. Peace Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Richard Mcnair on Nov 4, 2004

Love is the key. Joy is love singing. Peace is love resting. Long-suffering is love enduring. Kindness is love’s touch. Goodness is love’s character. Faithfulness is love’s habit. Gentleness is love’s ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:14, Luke 2:15-20, 1 Thessalonians 16:14, Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 3:12-14, 1 John 4:16, Luke 2:15, Luke 2:15-20  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Conflict, Fruit, Marriage, Love, Love For God, Unconditional Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Fact Of Jesus' Birth Is The Final And ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 14, 2004

“The fact of Jesus’ birth is the final and immeasurable proof that God ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

How Do We Know God Is Here With Us?  PRO

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 15, 2005

*Christmas is a time when God came near. And God comes near today. *Joe McKeever told the story of a little girl named Rachel. Like many preschoolers, Rachel had a problem waking up in the middle of the night, scared and crying. The only thing that would sooth her fears was crawling into bed with ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Emmanuel, Nearness Of God

Denomination: Baptist

A Shepherd Was Looking After His Sheep One Day On ...  PRO

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Dec 24, 2005

A shepherd was looking after his sheep one day on the side of a deserted road, when suddenly a brand new Porsche screeches to a halt. The driver, a man dressed in an Armani suit, Rockport shoes, Oakleys sunglasses, Rolex watch, and a Versace tie, gets out and asks the shepherd: "If I can tell ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Tags: Workplace

Denomination: Anglican

Implications For Society If Christ Wasn't ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Dec 14, 2009

Implications for Society if Christ wasn’t Born Have you ever imagined how does this world look like if Jesus were not born in that manger in Bethlehem around two thousand years ago? No Churches; and definitely no Christian institution of any kind. Red Cross does not exist; World Vision and World ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Christmas

You Have To Love Him Into It

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 1, 2010

"You Have To Love Him Into It"--A Stock Assistant Learns a Big Lesson A stock assistant was working at a grocery store on Christmas Eve. One of the things he was responsible for was the display in one of the aisles which was a pyramid of canned products. He had to rebuild this display many times ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Tags: Unconditional Love

A Gift Beyond Description  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jul 15, 2010

A GIFT BEYOND DESCRIPTION A few years ago, on "Good Morning, America," Joan Lunden featured some extraordinary gifts that a person might want to include on their Christmas gift list. One of them was a Jaguar automobile, the Jaguar 220. To purchase one, you first go to your Jaguar dealer and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-21

Tags: Christmas, Joseph, God The Father

The Face Of God

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 26, 2011

THE FACE OF GOD I heard the story once of a great Cherokee wood carver. He took logs and sat them on a stump outside his back door and sat in front of that log sometimes for hours just staring at it. Finally, he would pick up his carving tools and start carving the most beautiful of things out of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Birth Of Jesus

The Empty Gift

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 26, 2011

THE EMPTY GIFT God offers us more than this world does, but most of us never take the time to see it. There was a 15-year old boy named Joey, whose mother died at birth. She was a severe alcoholic, and that had affected his pre-natal development. The result was that he was slightly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Christmas

The More Precious Gift

Contributed by Sermon Central on May 2, 2011

THE MORE PRECIOUS GIFT It is not easy always for people to understand the significance of a gift, or the sacrifices that went behind it. Two students shared a room in college. After returning from the Christmas' winter break, Andrew asked his roommate what presents he has received for ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Tags: Christmas